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Quinn will appeal judge's ruling on pay raises

Posted: 7:53 PM Dec 7, 2012
Reporter: The AP

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) -- Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn says he will appeal a judge's ruling that the state must eventually live up to its 2011 promise of pay hikes to state workers.

Cook County Circuit Judge Richard Billik (BIL'-ik) ruled Friday that the state is obligated to pay the wage increases to members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

The Democratic governor reneged on the raise in July 2011 because the Legislature hadn't sent him money to cover it.

Quinn spokesman Abdon Pallasch (AB'-dun PA'-lish) says the state "cannot pay money it does not have."

Billik affirmed an earlier decree that Quinn couldn't spend money lawmakers hadn't appropriated. But his order Friday was that Quinn must eventually pay the bill -- at 7 percent interest.