SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner’s office filed paperwork Friday to ensure a new deputy governor isn’t paid from an insurance fund that is $4 billion behind on medical payments.
A letter from Rauner’s fiscal officer arrived at the state comptroller’s office Friday morning. It requests that a portion of Leslie Munger’s $138,000 salary come from a professional services fund.
The letter was received two days after The Associated Press asked Rauner’s office to explain why the group health insurance fund was tabbed to finance half of Munger’s paycheck. After the AP reported the arrangement, the governor’s office indicated it was a “clerical error” and would be corrected.
The account holds state employee premiums and is used to pay medical providers. It accounts for one-third of the state’s $12 billion pile of past-due bills.
Rauner, who has made it a practice to pay gubernatorial staff from sources other than the governor’s budget, told reporters Friday that Munger will be paid “in an appropriate way.”