Meanwhile, in Greec-inois

[Scout26]

Cook county judge rules that state employees can't be paid unless and until there is a budget (Fiscal years begins 1 Jul).  It's gonna be hard to overturn given the way the Illinois constitution is written regarding spending and the budget.   Years and years and years of budget shenanigans have finally caught up with this state. 

The chickens are most certainly coming home to roost this week, all over the world.

 http://news.yahoo.com/judge-rules-no-pay-illinois-workers-without-state-183936995.html

[vaskidmark]

So does this ruling only apply to C(r)ook County?  ::hops up and down chanting "I hope! I hope!::

Is it bad that I immediately went looking to check the correct spelling of shadunfroid shadenfriend shazenfunk schadenfreude?

And the obligatory https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rX7wtNOkuHo

stay safe.

[charby]

Band-Aids are best ripped off, instead of being pulled off slowly.

I was offered a job in Northern Illionis recently and I turned down the offer. The person asked me why, then I told them that state income taxes and property taxes are going to have to raised to cover the debt and I didn't want any part of that.

[Ben]

Interestingly, I read this morning that while they're not paying state employees, the state legislature a few years ago voted in a law that requires they continue to be paid in these circumstances. Convenient. I don't think even the CA legislature is that ballsy.

[Scout26]

Yes, but the Illinois constitution doesn't allow any monies to be disbursed until there is a budget.   So yes they can get "paid", but it won't be until there is a budget.

And the ruling does apply to all 102 Illinois counties.

[brimic]

Does the illinois constitution require a balanced budget?   

[Scout26]

Actually it does.  That's the major stumbling block.  Blago and Quinn used all kinds of accounting tricks and gimmicks to "balance" the budget. 

But the ability to use those tricks are over.  It must be balanced. (Although by not paying any bills or employees, eventually you end up at a point where you now have enough to pay bills going forward, but nothing going back....)

So by not passing Rauner's budget the Dems have shutdown the Illinois government.  Where's the breathless MSM wall-to-wall coverage and outrage?  Why is this not the major story on the news. 

Oh, the SC House is voting on removing a flag, my bad.