FREE
Independent
TAKE ONE
Bensenville
July 22 | 7-9:30pm | Ages 11-18
Tiki Photo Hut, DJ, Danc Featuring Fenton HS’s ow ing, Games & Prizes! n “Reckless & the Brave” Arrive by 8pm. $5 at the doo r.
1100 W. Wood St. 630-766-7 015 bensenvilleparkdistrict.org
also serving Wood Dale
VOL. 13 • NO. 8
WWW.THEINDEPENDENTNEWSPAPERS.COM
250817
THURSDAY, JULY 21, 2016
Munger: bill backlog to exceed $10 billion by year end By Dee Longfellow FOR THE INDEPENDENT
On Thursday, July 14, Illinois Comptroller Leslie Geissler Munger stated that the backlog of bills for the state will continue to grow through the fall and early winter until it hits the $10 billion mark by New Year’s Day. That many unpaid invoices will Leslie Munger cause payment delays of six months or longer to the state’s vendors and suppliers. Munger’s announcement comes on the heels of the passage of the stopgap budget passed recently. “While the stopgap is a positive step forward, it does not address our larger fiscal challenges,” she said. When we look at the numbers we are facing, the realities are sobering.” She noted that the state is on pace to spend as much as $2.5 billion more than it takes in during the next six months. “Severe cash shortages mean my office will continue to perform triage to help those most in need and protect our most critical services,” she added. Usually payments are handled on a first-in, first-out basis, but Munger said priority would be
given to the following: • Nonprofits not covered by court orders or consent decrees that continue to provide services including programs for autism, the homeless, mental health and others. • Business owners who provided good and services to the state in good faith over the last year without receiving payment. • Colleges, universities and MAP Grant students who faced significant cuts and delays this past year. Munger is sticking to her guns regarding compensation for Illinois’ elected officials, treating them like all other payments. Lawmakers and state constitutional office holders – including Miunger – will continue to stand in line for payments with human service providers, small business owners, hospitals, schools and others. “We’re looking at $10 billion in unpaid bills and vendors waiting six months or more to be paid,” she said. “How can I in good conscience tell hospitals, schools, small businesses, nonprofits and others to get in line - and then walk politicians to the front? “It remains a matter of fundamental fairness. We are all in this together and we all should wait in line.”
Inside:
Police Reports......3, 6 Sports �������������������� 21 Viewpoint.................8 Classifieds..........24-25
PAUL DELGUIDICE PHOTO Bensenville Independent
Human services, small businesses, higher education to be prioritized
Ooo-rah! Marines from the U.S. Marine Corps Recruitment Substation - DuPage North, based in Bensenville, line up in front of this Mega-Marine at the annual USO BBQ for the Troops held Saturday, July 16 at Elmhurst Toyota. The event, sponsored by Elmhurst Toyota, Elmhurst BMW, and Jaguar Elmhurst, raised $22,700 for the USO/O’Hare. One soldier in attendance recalled arriving in Afghanistan and getting to attend a performance of Toby Keith, sponsored by the USO.
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