Eating in the Long Run

What the hell is this?

SPRINGFIELD — In another sign of Illinois’ continuing budget woes, the state has apparently run out of money to pay injury settlements to its own employees.

Officials began notifying injured workers Wednesday that claims would not be paid until next October because of a shortfall in the fund.

[snip]

“It’s a serious situation for people who have been injured,” said Springfield attorney Gloria Morris. “It’s just an unfortunate occurrence that the state has a habit of balancing the budget on the backs of the people who can least afford it.”

Morris, who handles worker compensation cases for the Springfield-based Kanoski & Associates law firm, said it is not uncommon for the state to run out of money to pay its worker compensation claims.

But, she said waiting 10 months for the state to begin paying puts her clients in an “extreme bind.”

Boy, I learn something new, and usually bad, every day. 10 months to wait for your workers comp? I’m not sure how that compares to the private sector but who cares; the State should be more responsible than that.

In the State’s defense, 72 million dollars since July 1 sounds like an awful lot of money just for injury claims. How are all these people getting hurt? Maybe that’s the issue that needs addressing.

Hat tip to The Inside Dope.