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Group Alleges Gov. Rauner Illegally Blocked Contract Funding

A group of Illinois contractors are accusing Governor Bruce Rauner of violating the state Constitution.

In a document filed Friday afternoon with the state Appellate Court, the "Pay Now Illinois” coalition criticized Rauner for signing contracts, but using his veto power to block funds. Andrea Durbin is head of the Illinois Collaboration on Youth, the lead plaintiff in the coalition.

“We’ve been hearing lately how Illinois needs to be a business-friendly state. This is not just our services that are at stake, it's the reputation of our state. And if the state cannot honor its contracts, who will want to do business here?”

The court filing alleges Rauner is using coalition members to “loan” services to Illinois, so that he can keep government afloat while continuing a “feud” with the General Assembly. While waiting for its Chicago appeal, the coalition is also pursuing a separate legal challenge in St. Clair County.

Brian Mackey formerly reported on state government and politics for NPR Illinois and a dozen other public radio stations across the state. Before that, he was A&E editor at The State Journal-Register and Statehouse bureau chief for the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin.
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