Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner is trying to reassure state employees they will continue to be paid for working if there's no state budget agreement by Wednesday.
A memo obtained by The Associated Press Monday from the governor to all government workers says administration lawyers are working to make sure paychecks go out when due. He says employees should continue to work their regular schedules.
Rauner says he would explore ``every option'' if anyone blocks the plan. The state employees' credit union has already agreed to no-interest loans.
But, Attorney General Lisa Madigan says Rauner's plan to keep paying state employees even without a budget agreement could hit a legal snag.
She released a statement Monday afternoon saying a 1991 appellate court ruling decreed there can be no paychecks without a budget. She says a union lawsuit in 2007 during a budget impasse allowed the state comptroller to make payroll under very limited circumstances.
The new republican governor and majority democrats in the General Assembly have not been able to agree on a spending plan for the fiscal year that begins Wednesday.
Democrats say Rauner doesn't want to pay for vital services. Rauner wants reforms adopted first.
