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.