State Sen. Andy Manar has filed legislation that would allow Illinois to catch up on payments to the City of Springfield's utility.
The budget impasse has left the state with a mountain of debt. Manar represents a portion of Springfield. He says the state needs to take responsibility for its bills.
"We owe them. We should pay them as a state government," Manar said. "The tax payers of Springfield shouldn't bear the burden of paying the state's bills for electricity."
The state of Illinois already owes the city about $6 million for electricity from last year. Power bills for state offices in Springfield adds to up more than $1.5 million a month.