Illinois Comptroller Judy BaarTopinka says the ever-long list of vendors waiting on payments from the state means taxpayers have to pay interest and their money is being "flushed away."
That's according . The story is part of GateHouse newspapers' series on Illinois' backlog of unpaid bills.
The newspaper reports the total for outstanding bills was roughly $6 billion last week but tens of millions collected in income taxes will be diverted to cover interest owed on late payments. If the state doesn't pay its bills on time - after 90 days - private vendors become eligible for interest, which accrues monthly until bills are paid.
Topinka says it's another way that taxpayers are paying for years of financial mismanagement.
