Williamson County is suing the state Comptroller, and the Department of Revenue. The suit seeks funding for the salaries of the State's Attorney, Lead Public Defender, and Supervisor of Assessments.
By law, the state reimburses counties a percentage of each salary, but none of it has been paid since the fiscal year started in July. State's Attorney Brandon Zanotti says he'll file the suit in Williamson County Court.
"This is, simply, a matter of fairness. It's also a matter of law, a matter of following the law. It's unfortunate the Department of Revenue is not willing to turn these funds over to us."
Zanotti points to a case in St. Clair County last month, where a judge ordered the Comptroller and Revenue Department to pay the reimbursements. County Commissioner Brent Gentry says he's more than frustrated at this point.
"How can these people, in Springfield, sit and hold our money, our tax dollars from the people of this county, hold us hostage with our own money? And sit there and draw interest on it, or shuffle it off to other funds to pay something else? I don't understand it!"
Governor Bruce Rauner's office says the state lacks the authority to pay, because no budget is in place. He blames legislative Democrats for refusing to compromise, while Democrats claim they passed a plan.
Workers are being paid and contracts met because of court orders and consent decrees. Zanotti and Williamson County's Commissioners say they'd rather the state come to an agreement rather than going to court, but they can't afford to cover the salaries much longer.
