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State Of Illinois Getting Caught Up On Debt

The state of Illinois is getting back on track when it comes to unpaid bills.  According to State comptroller, Susana Mendoza, the state’s backlog of nearly $17 billion dollars in 2017 of back-paid bills has been brought down to just $3.5 billion this week. Vouchers that are being paid to vendors and providers of goods and services are dated April 26th, and the state is paying it’s bills as they come in. This is a welcome sign for a state that has been absolutely reeling from a massive deficit and has struggled in the past to make payments on time.

 

$3.5 billion is still locked up, owed to other branches of government, group health insurance bills, and other invoices but Comptroller Mendoza says that’s pretty standard in the private industry. Comptroller Mendoza blamed the previous administration for the massive debt saying that under the Bruce Rauner administration, the State was paying nursing homes and hospice centers up to a year late. 

 

Comptroller Mendoza says one way that they have been able to get ahead on bills is by the monthly Debt Transparency Reports that was initiated in 2017. This has allowed the state to better manage its checkbook. She says that although the backlog of bills is pretty low, does not mean that the state has overcome fiscal challenges. 

 

Mendoza insists that the legislation must craft a balanced state budget for the fiscal year 2022 without depending on the federal government. You can find the most recent debt transparency report by clicking here.

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