A feud between Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner and Comptroller Susana Mendoza is escalating over spending priorities during the state's unprecedented budget standoff. Mendoza is a Democrat in charge of paying Illinois' bills. In a speech she accused Rauner of being a terrible governor and paying consultants from a health care fund, among other things.
The Republican governor's spokeswoman says Mendoza's claim is pathetic and a distraction from her own office's questionable spending. His office is accusing her of reducing payments to service providers who care for the elderly. Mendoza says the allegation is clearly inaccurate.
Mendoza is a former Chicago city clerk who was elected last November. She ousted Rauner ally Leslie Munger, who has since been appointed to a Rauner administration post.
