Social service groups push pay lawsuit post stop-gap budget

CHICAGO — Social service providers working without pay for more than a year because of Illinois' unprecedented budget struggles said Wednesday that they still haven't been paid after the approval of a short-term spending plan and will push ahead with a lawsuit to force funding.

The Pay Now Illinois coalition, made up of about 100 providers, sued Gov. Bruce Rauner and state agencies in May because of fallout from the yearlong budget impasse. Last month, lawmakers approved a stop-gap measure covering, in part, the past and current fiscal years. But the coalition said almost none of their providers had been paid.

Attorneys for the coalition and Attorney General Lisa Madigan's office briefly appeared in court Wednesday. Both sides said they needed time to assess recent budget developments and revise court filings. They return to court July 25.

Part of the issue is confusion over how Illinois will proceed in doling out funds authorized by the partial budget, which allows schools to open on time and funds other services until January. However, state officials were unable Wednesday to provide detailed answers about social services. Groups in the lawsuit provide health care, youth and elderly counseling and programs to fight sexual assaults and homelessness.

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