As State Budget Impasse Drags On, Late Fees On State Bills Add Up

Illinois representatives gather on the House floor during session at the Illinois State Capitol Tuesday, May 31, 2016, in Springfield, Ill., as lawmakers press ahead on the last day of the spring legislative session. Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner proposed a short-term budget fix on Tuesday in a last-ditch effort to give the state some temporary stability during a nearly yearlong spat between the Republican and Democratic lawmakers over a spending plan.
Illinois representatives gather on the House floor during session at the Illinois State Capitol. Seth Perlman / AP Photo
Illinois representatives gather on the House floor during session at the Illinois State Capitol Tuesday, May 31, 2016, in Springfield, Ill., as lawmakers press ahead on the last day of the spring legislative session. Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner proposed a short-term budget fix on Tuesday in a last-ditch effort to give the state some temporary stability during a nearly yearlong spat between the Republican and Democratic lawmakers over a spending plan.
Illinois representatives gather on the House floor during session at the Illinois State Capitol. Seth Perlman / AP Photo

As State Budget Impasse Drags On, Late Fees On State Bills Add Up

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Under law, when the state pays late, it pays interest. 

Governor Bruce Rauner’s office couldn’t say how much this year’s budget impasse could drive up those late fees. 

However, a state report provides an estimate for one part: Insurance benefits for state employees. Just those late fees will cost $232 million in the coming year. That’s not counting the tab for the rest of state government.

Lawmakers convene just two more times before the state starts a second fiscal year with no budget.