State Comptroller Stops Paying Lawmakers Amid Impasse
By Greta JohnsenState Comptroller Stops Paying Lawmakers Amid Impasse
By Greta JohnsenLeslie Munger, Comptroller for the State of Illinois, says she’s going to stop paying lawmakers until they agree on a state budget.
The state has gone nearly ten months without a budget, wreaking havoc on social service organizations, schools, and small businesses that rely on state funding.
Munger said until a budget is passed, the salaries for lawmakers, which add up to more than a million dollars a month— will be treated like other bills.
That means lawmakers’ paychecks will likely be delayed by at least a month.
“Our social service network is being dismantled,” Munger said.
“As our cash crunch grows in the coming months, it is only appropriate that the unfair prioritization of payments to elected leaders ends. We are all in this together, we all will wait in line.”
Munger will also delay payment to herself.
Greta Johnsen is a general assignment reporter. Followe her @gretamjohnsen.