Quinn Proposes Suspending Local Government Payments to Cover States Debt

SPRINGFIELD —Gov. Pat Quinn suggested a new way to pay off the $4.5 billion the state owes by  suspending payment to local governments, according to Illinois Statehouse News.

Quinn proposed halting the Local Government Distributive Fund, which designates a portion of state taxes to local municipalities. The LGDF money would eventually be sent out after the state bills are paid off.

“Our goal is to pay the bills and we need the General Assembly's support to make this happen,” Kelly Kraft, Quinn’s Office of Management and Budget spokeswoman told Statehouse.

While the governor has proposed the idea, lawmakers would still have to approve the payment delay.

The above article is from Illinois Statehouse News. Stay tuned to Patch for information on how these budget decisions could affect your community.