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. She used a City Club of Chicago speech Monday to accuse 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.
