Bill backlog brings criticism from comptroller

Allison Shapiro
ashapiro@daily-journal.com

State Comptroller Susana Mendoza has a chart she likes to show people. It's a simple graph, charting the growth of the Illinois general fund backlog over time – money due to nursing homes, colleges, social service providers, local governments and other organizations across the state.

The graph starts in 2011, with Illinois facing nearly $8 billion in unpaid bills. The backlog decreased steadily over former Gov. Pat Quinn's second term, reaching $5 billion by the time Gov. Bruce Rauner took office. Under Rauner, it climbed again to a high of almost $17 billion.

Allison Shapiro
ashapiro@daily-journal.com

State Comptroller Susana Mendoza has a chart she likes to show people. It's a simple graph, charting the growth of the Illinois general fund backlog over time – money due to nursing homes, colleges, social service providers, local governments and other organizations across the state.

The graph starts in 2011, with Illinois facing nearly $8 billion in unpaid bills. The backlog decreased steadily over former Gov. Pat Quinn's second term, reaching $5 billion by the time Gov. Bruce Rauner took office. Under Rauner, it climbed again to a high of almost $17 billion.