Despite Emergency Motion, Comptroller Starts Paying Lawmakers

Cook County judge ruled Thursday that Gov. Pat Quinn's decision to halt lawmaker pay was unconstitutional

Illinois Comptroller Judy Baar's office late Thursday began issuing paychecks to lawmakers for August and September, a spokesman confirmed.

"Processing began on the two missed payrolls yesterday but it takes a little time for banks to get into [accounts] and make money [available]," Brad Hahn said in an email to NBC Chicago. "
Lawmakers should see that money over the weekend."

The move comes after a Cook County judge ruled that Gov. Pat Quinn's decision to halt lawmaker pay was unconstitutional.

Quinn's camp immediately filed a motion to appeal that decision and a hearing was scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Friday.

The governor used his line-item veto this summer to stop lawmakers' checks until they submit a solution to the state pension crisis. He warned of circumstances if they missed his deadline and described the pay halt as a wake-up call for those who have failed for two years to take action.

 

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