By Bill Wheelhouse, IL Public Radio
Springfield, Ill. – Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich has another hole in the state budget. Attorney General Lisa Madigan has told him he can't use money belonging to the Chicago-area tollway system for other state needs.
Part of this year's budget included nearly $20 million that was to be diverted from the state Toll Highway Authority to the state's checkbook.
But Madigan says Blagojevich won't be able to use that money because it doesn't belong to the state, it belongs to the people who hold bonds on the tollway.
"If money starts to be moved, there's potentially a default," Madigan said this weekend at a convention of news broadcasters.
"[That] potentially allows the bondholders to bring litigation against the state."
Because Madigan is blocking the move, there won't be a lawsuit. But it represents another section of the state budget that falls short.