The legal dispute continues this week over what Illinois state workers should be paid.
It’s the latest issue to be caught in the wide-ranging web of consequences resulting from having no state budget.
While dozens of human service providers are left hanging in the wind -- unsure what kind of state support they’ll get -- state employees find themselves in a similar boat. Last week, a Cook County judge said employees shouldn’t get a salary since the state doesn’t have a spending plan.
An appeal to that ruling is quickly moving forward.
Another judge from downstate gave a different opinion siding with unions - saying state employees could get paid.
In the meantime, lawmakers could make both legal arguments moot if the senate and governor approve a bill that says the state can spend what it did last year on pay for employees.
Some workers are supposed to get their checks Wednesday.