As State Bills Get Paid Off, Billions Take Its Place

Susana Mendoza
In this June 14, 2017, file photo, Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza responds to a reporter's question during an interview in here office about the state budget in Chicago. G-Jun Yam / Associated Press
Susana Mendoza
In this June 14, 2017, file photo, Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza responds to a reporter's question during an interview in here office about the state budget in Chicago. G-Jun Yam / Associated Press

As State Bills Get Paid Off, Billions Take Its Place

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When the newly-elected State Comptroller Susana Mendoza took office back in December 2016, she was saddled with tackling Illinois’ $15 billion of unpaid bills. As comptroller, Mendoza manages Illinois’ finances, and writes the checks to pay off the state’s mounting debt. In the year since she’s been on the job, about half of those bills have been paid off, but others continue to take their place. On top of that growing debt, late fees are also racking up on older unpaid bills. 

Morning Shift talks to Comptroller Mendoza about the current state of Illinois’ finances and debt repayment.