By Eric Stock
NORMAL – The state’s bill payer is coming to Bloomington-Normal on Wednesday, but she’s not coming to hand out money.
Comptroller Leslie Munger instead is coming with an explanation for why she can’t pay social services providers.
“I am trying to go out and use the megaphone that comes with the comptroller’s office to let people know we have to get a budget in place,” Munger said. “This is not a way to run a state. We are ceding our responsibility to govern to the courts.”
PODCAST: Listen to Scott and Colleen’s interview with Munger on WJBC.
The courts have ordered the state to pay state workers and reimburse Cook County Medicaid providers, but Munger said the agencies that care for Illinois’ most vulnerable citizens are being left to suffer.
“The people that are in the organizations that are falling between the cracks that are still hurt by no budget are all the ones who rely heavily on help from out state,” Munger said.
Munger wants those affected to call their legislators and demand they pass a budget. The stalemate is now in its second month.
She added Illinois has paid out $57 million in late fees this year as it tries to trim a $4 billion backlog.
“Imagine what that money could do to help all these organizations who are operating now hand-to-mouth going forward with no budget,” Munger said. “Instead we have wasted those tax dollars on late fees because we can’t manage our funding.
Munger is scheduled to visit the Baby Fold in Normal on Wednesday afternoon.
Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].
