By AP/KWMU
Springfield, ILL. – The Illinois Supreme Court has ordered state Comptroller Dan Hynes to explain why he won't give judges cost of living raises, a move that is against the court's ruling.
The order requires Hynes to appear before the court and show why he shouldn't be held in contempt. Hynes has said he won't include the pay raises when he sends judges' paychecks this week because Governor Rod Blagojevich took that money out of the budget before signing it.
The court said the governor may have removed the money for the hikes, but he did not take out the law mandating the raises be paid.
Blagojevich used his veto powers to take out about $4.5 million in raises for the state's constitutional officers, judges and lawmakers.