CHICAGO — Attorneys representing 10,000 Illinois residents with disabilities filed an emergency motion in federal court Tuesday asking that the state be held “in civil contempt of court,” for failing to pay service providers’ bills.

The Illinois Comptroller’s office on Monday told the Sun-Times it wanted to pay to keep those services in place but it faced a “severe cash shortage.”

Attorneys say Illinois is violating a federal court order issued last week compelling the Comptroller’s office to pay by Friday money owed for services of those with severe developmental disabilities.

That didn’t happen, leading to the emergency motion, which is scheduled to be heard in Chicago federal court at 9:45 a.m. Wednesday, when the State will have to explain to the Judge why payments she ordered for people with developmental disabilities have not been made.

A spokesman with Munger’s office could not immediately be reached for comment.