Gov. Quinn Asks Lawmakers For An Extra $221 Million

Gov. Pat Quinn's administration wants lawmakers to approve $221 million in extra funds to spend this fiscal year. The request comes on top of the $35 billion budget the Legislature approved in May.

The Springfield Bureau of Lee Enterprises reports that a draft of the request includes $112 million to pay back wages owed to 25,000 state workers.
 
Another $40.5 million was requested for the Illinois Department of Corrections and $31 million for the Department of Human Services and state police to help implement the state's new concealed carry law. The state's Emergency Management Agency wants $6 million to help cover April flooding.
 
Lawmakers heard some spending requests during the fall session that began last week but have yet to vote on them.