State employees looking to keep getting their paychecks won a sense of relief on Thursday but the fight isn’t over. 

 

A St. Clair County Judge ruled against Attorney General Lisa Madigan who was seeking to cut off employee pay because there was no appropriation to spend the money. But Madigan says she will appeal the ruling because the state’s constitution requires lawmakers to approve the spending. 

 

Governor Bruce Rauner had opposed Madigan’s lawsuit and issued this statement after the court’s decision.

 

“We’re pleased our hard working state employees, who show up to work every day on behalf of the people of Illinois, will continue to be paid. It is our hope the Attorney General drops this lawsuit so the bipartisan negotiations in the Senate can continue in order to reach a balanced budget with changes to get our state back on track.”