Illinois Bill Backlog Could Fall to $5.6 Billion

Illinois officials say the state's backlog of unpaid bills is decreasing.

The (Springfield) State Journal-Register reports the backlog is expected to fall to $5.6 billion by June 30, which is the end of the current fiscal year. That's down from a high of $9.9 billion in 2010.

The figures came from a letter acting budget director Jerome Stermer wrote to legislative leaders, adding that the unpaid tab was $6.4 billion in December.

The newspaper's story is part of GateHouse newspapers' series on Illinois' backlog of unpaid bills.

Lawmakers from both parties say the state has made progress, but say there's still more work to be done.