SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – An Illinois court is set to take up a motion filed by the state attorney general to halt state employee paychecks until lawmakers solve Illinois’ budget impasse.
Legislators are simultaneously considering a threat by Gov. Bruce Rauner to veto one of two proposals to keep the payments going. A judge in St. Clair County on Thursday will hear Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s request. She is asking the judge to reverse a previous court order requiring Illinois to pay state employees absent a budget.
House Democrats and Republicans say they agree paychecks should continue.
They have launched competing legislation to avoid a government shutdown if Madigan succeeds. But Rauner said the Democrats’ proposal supports Madigan’s efforts.
He favors a Republican plan that would give his office control over state employee payroll.