State lawmakers are trying to keep the government’s lights on. The state of Illinois owes the city of Springfield about $10 million dollars in electricity bills that it hasn’t paid because of the budget stalemate. Representative Tim Butler says he and Representative Sara Wojcicki Jimenez, both Republicans, have set up meetings between city and state officials. But there hasn’t been a lot of progress.
"You know, obviously we need the lights to be on at state buildings to be able to have folks come to work to do their jobs." -Rep. Tim Butler (R-Springfield)
Springfield’s Mayor Jim Langfelder said he won’t cut power off to state offices. But the city council next week could approve a formal request for the state to pay up.