Topinka: Funds Needed For State Worker Back Pay

Illinois Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka says a supplemental appropriation is needed to come up with the money to fund back pay for state workers.

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn has made a supplemental funding request for $221 million for a variety of expenditures. It includes $112 million to pay back wages plus interest to thousands of unionized state workers.

They were denied raises they were due under a previous labor agreement. A judge has ruled the workers are due the money.
 
Topinka said it's necessary for lawmakers to approve the extra money for back pay.

She said she doesn't have bags of money '"sitting around the office'' and she doesn't know where else the money will come from.