Illinois service providers accelerate state payment lawsuit
Flickr | Beth Cortez-Neavel
CHICAGO (AP) - Social service providers working without state payment for nearly a year are accelerating a lawsuit against Gov. Bruce Rauner and agencies by seeking immediate payments and adding plaintiffs.
Pay Now Illinois filed an amended complaint Wednesday on behalf of 82 groups, including one led by Rauner's wife, Diana. The coalition claims it's owed over $130 million for 11 months of unpaid work. They're seeking payment for contracts over 60 days unpaid.
Gov. Rauner and legislative Democrats remain deadlocked over a budget for the fiscal year that began July 1. The lawsuit alleges Rauner created an "unconstitutional" situation by vetoing appropriations, but still enforcing contracts.
The Ounce of Prevention Fund, run by Diana Rauner, is among the plaintiffs.
The governor's office says the answer lies in a "balanced, reform-oriented budget."