Illinois Comptroller Judy BaarTopinka is creating an advisory council to help non-profit groups receive state payments in a more timely fashion. Topinka visited the Center for Prevention of Abuse in Peoria yesterday to talk with non-profit human service groups about the state’s financial condition. She says her office is now paying bills from June 21st, a shorter delay than usual. But Topinka says its still within the first month of the state’s new fiscal year. She says by fall and into the holiday season, the payment delay gap could get larger:
“We’ve taken all of our nonprofits and moved them up. So when it comes to money in the till we are going to pay you first. Because we figure you don’t have any options. Others have options. Businesses and individuals have options. Municipalities have options. You don’t have any options. You really rely on this, or else you close your doors.”
Topkinka says any non-profit facing late state payments that risks closing its doors needs to call her office. She says her office will make it priority to get those nonprofits the funding they’ve been promised. Topinka also says she is planning to run for another term as state comptroller. She says she has more work to do in office.