SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - A state lawmaker says it's time for Illinois to pay the roughly $10 million it owes for utility bills at government offices in the capital city.
Illinois owes Springfield's City Water, Light and Power more than $9 million. That includes overdue bills totaling over $6 million.
The state hasn't had authorization to pay the bills because lawmakers haven't agreed on budget for the fiscal year that started July 1.
Democratic state Sen. Andy Manar of Bunker Hill says legislation he introduced would allow Illinois to use general funds and from the previous fiscal year to cover bills.
Manar says if the state were a residential customer, its power would've been shut off. Mayor Jim Langfelder says that's not likely to happen.
