Quinn: Kirk’s Report Exaggerates State’s Debt

Ill. Gov. Pat Quinn said Wednesday that a recent report exaggerates the state's debt.

U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Ill., released the report saying the state has $8.3 billion worth of unpaid bills. But the state comptroller said the number is more like $5.1 billion.

Quinn said the state is making progress in cutting its unpaid bills.

"I think (Kirk) probably exaggerated some of the numbers," Quinn told reporters Wednesday at an unrelated news conference. "We have whittled down the bills we have to pay, we still have a long way to go. You know if it's just woe is me and a doomsayer - I don't think that's particularly helpful."

Quinn said creating jobs is the key to improving Illinois' debt standing.