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WNIJ's summary of news items around our state.

State Employees, Social Service Agencies Face Court Hearings Over Paychecks

Jenna Dooley / WNIJ

The cases involve two groups: one which has been getting paid; and another which hasn’t, but wants to.

Today's case before the appellate court in Mount Vernon, involves state employees. Lawyers from Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s office are arguing against a ruling that said these workers must be paid. 

Normally, their salaries must be appropriated by the legislature; when that didn’t happen in 2015, the AFSCME union convinced a judge to order that the payments be made.

Social service providers will go before a judge tomorrow in St. Clair County — asking for the same special treatment as state workers.

The groups provide services to people with disabilities, mental-health problems and the like. They argue that, because Illinois government signed contracts with them, they too should be getting paid — with or without a state budget.

Illinois has gone near two years without a full spending plan.

Brian Mackey formerly reported on state government and politics for NPR Illinois and a dozen other public radio stations across the state. Before that, he was A&E editor at The State Journal-Register and Statehouse bureau chief for the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin.
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