Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza announced this week the state has paid down its bill backlog to a manageable level.

“This is a remarkable day that I have been working toward since I took office in December 2016 amid the budget impasse when the previous administration was paying nursing homes and hospice centers up to a year late and they let the backlog climb to $16.7 billion,” Mendoza said Wednesday.

Illinois went without a budget for over two years between July 2015 and August 2017 as legislators and former Republican Governor Bruce Rauner waged a heated battle over the state's financial problems. During that time, the state's bills continued to add up. While no funds were appropriated, the comptroller was still required by law to pay local governments, pensions and debts.

“I’ll say it as often as I need to: Illinois must craft a balanced state budget for fiscal year 2022 without depending on the one-time federal relief money the state received,” she said. “Responsible budget-making directs the fate of the backlog as we continue making headway with our finances and show taxpayers and the credit rating agencies that we’re serious about restoring Illinois’ financial stability.”