By Jennifer Keiper, WLS-AM 890 News
(CHICAGO) Even without a state budget, lawmakers must be paid – that according to a Cook County judge.
State Comptroller Susana Medonza hasn’t paid state lawmakers saying that, without a state budget it’s only right to prioritize payments to the state’s most vulnerable, ahead of elected officials. For example, hospice and child care and Meals on Wheels.
In making Thursday’s ruling, the judge cited a 2014 law passed after then-Governor Pat Quinn withheld paychecks over pension reform.
Last year, a group of Democratic lawmakers filed a lawsuit against then-state Comptroller Leslie Munger. They argued she and Gov. Rauner were holding up legislators’ paychecks for political leverage. Legislators’ June paychecks weren’t issued until January.
Comptroller Medonza says she will release the back pay checks in compliance with the judge’s order and will talk to the Attorney General and consulting attorneys and ask them to appeal the ruling.
