Social service providers working without state payments for nearly a year are accelerating a lawsuit against the state by seeking immediate payments and adding plaintiffs. Pay Now Illinois filed an amended complaint in Cook County on behalf of 82 groups. The lawsuit includes 18 new providers seeking payments for contracts over 60 days unpaid.
The coalition claims it's owed over $130 million for 11 months of unpaid work during the budget impasse. Gov. Bruce Rauner and legislative Democrats remain deadlocked over a spending plan for the fiscal year that began last July.
The lawsuit names Rauner and seven agency directors, alleging Rauner created an "unconstitutional" situation by vetoing appropriations for services, but still enforcing contracts.
Rauner's spokeswoman has said the answer lies in agreement to a "balanced, reform-oriented budget."
