CHICAGO (WAND) - Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza is showing her support for thousands of state workers after Governor Bruce Rauner said he needs more time to come up with a plan to pay back union workers.
Around 20,000 union workers are owed three years' back pay.
On Monday, Rauner told the Illinois State Labor Relations Board in a letter Monday that determining how much is owed to 20,000 workers is onerous. In the letter he said transferring money from other funds could jeopardize feeding prison inmates, providing utilities to the poor or medical care at state facilities.
Mendoza on Wednesday said she disagrees with Rauner. She said at the very least, state agencies could establish appropriate salary levels.
“I believe that workers are owed over three years of raises denied by Governor Rauner and that the sooner he acknowledges this fact, the better. He has no excuse for failing to identify the costs associated with this issue in a timely manner,” said Comptroller Mendoza.
“It’s particularly ironic that this Administration has expended hundreds of millions of dollars for Information Technology consultants with the goal of improving administrative functions at the same time he whines that basic payroll costs can’t be calculated because it’s too difficult,” she said.
Rauner stopped step increases while negotiating a new contract with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 31. There's still no deal.
He's asking for two more months to come up with a plan.
AFSCME officials say the union is determining a response.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
