Comptroller Munger: Without Illinois budget, state payments to stop

CHICAGO — Illinois Comptroller Leslie Munger says most state payments will stop if there’s no budget in place by the end of June.

The Republican appointed by Gov. Bruce Rauner told reporters Wednesday that if lawmakers can’t agree before the start of the July 1 fiscal year, state workers will start missing paychecks July 15 and state vendors won’t receive payments.

Illinois lawmakers are at an impasse over the state budget. Legislative Democrats approved a spending plan but acknowledge it’s at least $3 billion short of revenue.

Rauner has said he won’t sign it because it’s a “phony” budget. He wants lawmakers to consider pieces of his “turnaround agenda” along with the budget, such as workers compensation reform.

Both sides say they’ve tried compromise.

Munger blames lawmakers for the impasse, urging structural reforms.