Comptroller's Quarterly
In This Edition: While a stronger-than-expected tax season helped the state temporarily reduce the size of the bill backlog, it is expected to have little impact on Illinois’ long-term fiscal health. The Illinois Office of the Comptroller (IOC) estimates the state’s obligations to not decrease any further by the end of the fiscal year on June 30. And with the income tax increase scheduled to sunset in 2015, Illinois is expected to continue to see considerable payment delays for the foreseeable future.
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- Quarterly Edition 9, May 2013 - Strong tax season provides short-term relief
Strong tax season provides short-term relief
While a stronger-than-expected tax season helped the state temporarily reduce the size of the bill backlog, it is expected to have little impact on Illinois’ long-term fiscal health. The Illinois Office of the Comptroller (IOC) estimates the state’s obligations to not decrease any further by the end of the fiscal year on June 30. And with the income tax increase scheduled to sunset in 2015, Illinois is expected to continue to see considerable payment delays for the foreseeable future.
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- Quarterly Edition 8, February 2013 - Two Years Later: Backlog Grows
General Assembly addresses appropriation shortfalls
Two years after Illinois raised individual and corporate tax rates, the state continues to suffer through substantial bill backlogs and payment delays. Recent action by the General Assembly, however, ensured sufficient appropriations will be available to fund certain critical state services and programs through the end of the fiscal year.
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- Quarterly Edition 7, November 2012 - Backlog Grows - Fiscal Outlook Cloudy
Underfunded budget creates more unknowns
At the end of the first quarter of fiscal year 2013, the backlog of unpaid bills at the Comptroller's Office (IOC) had grown by more than $2 billion when compared to the same time last year, even as state income and corporate tax revenues grew by nearly $150 million. At the end of October, a similar situation continued to exist.
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- Quarterly Edition 06, July 2012 - Revenue Grows, Bill Backlog Remains
Little improvement seen as fiscal year ends
As Illinois reached the end of the fiscal year, persistent payment delays continued despite significant revenue increases. In fact, the state moved into fiscal year 2013 – following the first full year of state tax increases – with an estimated $7.5 to $8 billion in unpaid obligations, slightly lower than the $8.5 billion total of the last two fiscal years.
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- Quarterly Edition 05, April 2012 - Backlog Grows as State Treads Water
Payment Delays Expected to Persist
SPRINGFIELD - Despite being three quarters into the first full year of the state tax increases, Illinois’ financial position has not improved. In fact, the bill backlog has increased in the most recent quarter, and payment delays are expected to persist for foreseeable future.
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- Quarterly Edition 04, January 2012 - Backlog Persists Despite New Revenue
Little Improvement Seen One Year After Tax Increases
Springfield– One year after Illinois raised individual and corporate income tax rates, the state remains in a precarious fiscal position with persistent payment delays – and the situation is unlikely to significantly
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improve in the near-term.
- Quarterly Edition 03, October 2011- Staggering Fiscal Challenges Remain
Bill backlog numbers provide incomplete picture
While a quick glance at the state’s bill backlog might suggest an improved fiscal condition for Illinois, it only tells a part of the story.
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- Quarterly Edition 02, July 2011- State Races to Pay Medicaid Bills
Long-term challenges, payment delays continue
After three years of declining end-of-year General Revenue Fund (GRF) balances, Fiscal Year 2011 has concluded with Illinois in a better position than it was 12 months ago. But that improvement may be temporary, as not all of the state’s liabilities for the year – such as certain health insurance bills and tax refunds – have been factored into the equation.
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- Quarterly Edition 01, April 2011- State Steps Back from Financial Abyss
Actions taken in the first three quarters of fiscal year 2011 have allowed the state of Illinois to gain revenue and avoid financial catastrophe in the short-term, but a massive bill backlog and substantial long-term challenges remain as it enters the final quarter.
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- Edition 38 - January 2011 - State Pays Down Fiscal Year 2010 Bills
Illinois’ cash flow position has become clearer as several one-time revenue enhancements allowed the state to finally address bills left over from fiscal year 2010. in the second quarter, the General Funds received $1.25 billion from the sale of tobacco securitization bonds, $392 million from the tax amnesty program and utilized $354 million in interfund borrowing.
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