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Judge Scolds Comptroller's Office for Non-Compliance

budget collage

Illinois Comptroller Leslie Munger says she'll comply with a federal judge's order - and write checks for services for people with developmental disabilities.

A federal judge in Chicago scolded Illinois officials Wednesday for not fully complying with her order that they pay providers of critical social services during an ongoing budget impasse.

Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman told state lawyers they had 48 hours to explain which providers have and haven't been paid.

Ben Wolf is with the ACLU - which asked the courts to take action.
 
"I'm troubled that the state hasn't balanced its budget and that it may have to carry a debt for another few days, but that's not the same thing as somebody with developmental disabilities ending up losing their home."
 
Comptroller Munger says her office will send out the checks by the deadlines set by the judge - even though the state has limited resources.

Judge Coleman added she's "very disappointed'' the state missed a Friday deadline for certain payments and broached at least the possibility of holding the state in contempt.  

Gov. Bruce Rauner and lawmakers can't agree on a spending plan for the fiscal year that began July 1.         But Coleman says one shouldn't "flout'' a court order.  Coleman says she understands the budgetary constraints but says human lives are at stake. 

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