Five dozen social service agencies working without pay for nearly a year because of the Illinois state budget stalemate are suing Gov. Bruce Rauner.
Pay Now Illinois — a group of 64 contract providers claiming they're owed $100 million — filed the lawsuit Wednesday in Cook County Circuit Court.
The Republican's stalemate with legislative Democrats over a budget that should have started July 1 has entered its 11th month.
The lawsuit claims Rauner created an "unconstitutional" situation by vetoing appropriations to pay for the services and then enforcing contract terms anyway.
Rauner spokeswoman Catherine Kelly says the governor understands the group's frustration but the answer lies not in court but in agreement by the General Assembly to a "balanced, reform-oriented budget."
