ILLINOIS COMPTROLLER SUSANA MENDOZA SAYS THE STATE'S BILL BACKLOG IS NOW UNDER CONTROL. 

THE STACK OF BILLS WAITING TO BE PAID TOTALED WELL OVER 16 BILLION IN 2017...BUT THAT HAS SINCE BEEN WHITTLED DOWN TO THREE POINT FIVE BILLION. COMPTROLLER MENDOZA SAYS THIS IS VERY EXCITING NEWS.

THE ONCE MORE THAN 16 BILLION DOLLAR PILE OF BILLS HAS BEEN REDUCED TO THREE AND A HALF BILLION, PUTTING ILLINOIS ON A MORE REASONABLE, 30-DAY PAYMENT CYCLE SAYS COMPTROLLER MENDOZA.

MENDOZA SAYS HAVING A RESONABLE PAYMENT CYCLE ALSO HELPS THE STATE'S CREDIT RATING. SHE CAUTIONS THAT LAWMAKERS MUST PASS A BALANCED BUDGET THIS SPRING THAT DOESN'T RELY ON THE ONE TIME INFLUX OF FEDERAL RELIEF MONEY.