The wealthy governor of Illinois is calling for state legislators to go without pay until a balanced budget is passed.
The comptroller's office reports lawmakers last received paychecks in June. It has put elected officials' pay in a queue, along with $10 billion of overdue bills the state can't currently afford.
Several Democrats are suing to reinstate their monthly income. But the governor criticized them in a video message.
"If they won't do a balanced budget, they shouldn't be paid first," he said in the video. "No budget, no pay."
Critics say that's easy for Rauner, since he made almost $188 million last year.
Withholding lawmakers' pay already has been deemed unconstitutional. However, a Cook County court has yet to decide whether it's legal to delay pay due to lack of funds.
