http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wium/local-wium-915691.mp3
Carthage, IL – Illinois is nearly one month into its new fiscal year. Yet local governments are still waiting on money owed from last year.
For example, Hancock County Treasurer Kris Pilkington said the county is supposed to be reimbursed a portion of the pay for the state's attorney, public defender and supervisor of assessments.
"Right now, for the supervisor of assessments, they're six months behind with that salary reimbursement. Public defender, five months behind. State's attorney, three months behind," Pilkington said.
In addition, the state is late in sending the county its share of the income tax, use tax, and sales tax.
In total, the state currently owes Hancock County $283,633.77.
Pilkington is worried about what might happen next.
"They could come up with laws saying that they don't have to make up what they're behind on. That's what I'm afraid of," Pilkington said.
Pilkington said the county is just now receiving some state payment vouchers that were approved in February but delayed because the state did not have enough money.
"It's very frustrating," Pilkington said. "It's frustrating for us, it's frustrating for the citizens, and I'm sure it's frustrating for the people at the state level also.
"I don't think that they don't want to pay us. They want to, it's just they can't."
Pilkington says the county helped itself by issuing property tax bills earlier than usual. She said the cash coming in from those bills helped tremendously but it's not a long-term solution to the cash flow issues with the state.
The county's next fiscal year begins December 1. Pilkington says work on the new budget will begin in August.