Jamie Munks
The State Journal-Register
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State’s CWLP bills
Aldermen also are mulling a resolution asking the state to begin paying off its millions of dollars in outstanding bills to City Water, Light and Power. The amount the state owes the city-owned utility that’s considered delinquent tops $6 million; the total amount the state owes the city is more than $9 million.
“This is really important to bring this to the attention of the state,” Ward 7 Ald. Joe McMenamin said. “We can’t let this debt grow and grow. Who knows when the state budget impasse will get resolved.”
A couple of the aldermen questioned whether the resolution, which would ask Gov. Bruce Rauner and the General Assembly to designate utilities as an “essential service” and begin paying the bills, is necessary since Langfelder’s administration has been meeting with state officials on the issue.
Half of Springfield’s 10 aldermen are state employees.
Langfelder said city officials need to “keep an eye on it.” “I think it wouldn’t hurt to pass a resolution,” he said. “That way it can carry on through the state legislature if needed.”
Joe McMenamin for Ward 7 