CHICAGO (AP) – Comptroller Susana Mendoza says state employees promised bonuses will now have to wait to receive them during the ongoing budget impasse.

The office that controls Illinois’ checkbook announced Wednesday that payments to social services and public safety come first.
Mendoza, a Democrat, took office this week after ousting Republican Leslie Munger in a special election. The issue of bonuses emerged during the campaign. In October, Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner’s office announced merit bonuses for over 1,000 non-union workers totaling up to $4 million.

It’s unclear how many employees will be affected by Mendoza’s directive.

Rauner’s office has said they were one-time bonuses. Mendoza spokesman Abdon Pallasch says there isn’t paperwork reflecting that and there’ll be more transparency going forward.

Mendoza says state employees will continue to get their regular paychecks.