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Lawmakers must come up with $1 billion to keep state programs running

By WEEK Producer
January 22, 2013 Updated Jan 23, 2013 at 10:41 AM CDT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- Illinois' comptroller is warning lawmakers that they must come up with more than $1 billion in additional spending to keep state programs operational for the rest of the year.

Judy Baar Topinka says the Departments of Aging and Children and Family Services need more money. So does the state workers' compensation program and state employee group health insurance.

For now, Topinka says, the solution is to look at reallocating money within the budget to provide more for programs that most need it.

Lawmakers discussed a supplemental spending bill during the recently concluded lame duck session of the General Assembly but took no action.

As of Monday, Topinka said her office had nearly $200,000 bills worth more than $9 billion waiting to be paid.

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