IL AG: Lawsuit Keeps Options Open on Back Pay

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) -- Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan's office says dropping a lawsuit over union workers' back pay is premature.

Gov. Pat Quinn and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees settled their dispute over wages from 2011 and 2012

Quinn is preparing to ask lawmakers for $140 million to cover the raises.

Quinn said in 2011 he didn't have the money to pay them.

AFSCME won in court and Quinn appealed.

Now Quinn wants Madigan to drop the appeal.

Madigan spokeswoman Natalie Bauer says the lawsuit is on hold. But she says the attorney general must keep legal options open if there's a hang-up with a legislative OK on the back-pay bill.

She says the lawsuit doesn't prevent Quinn from seeking the money.