SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — As Illinois enters its eighth month without a state budget due to an impasse between its Republican governor and Democratic-led Legislature, a trove of email and documents shows the strain it’s having on state agencies and the places they do business.

In the capital Springfield, alone, the state has been cut off by stores selling cleaning supplies, hardware, carpeting and electrical supplies, among other things.

As Illinois politicians continue to squabble over a budget that should have taken effect July 1, hundreds of state contractors have been left with little more than I.O.U.s, according to more than 500 pages of documents – just since Nov. 1 – released to The Associated Press under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act.

The documents show debts ranging from a $28 water-and-sewer bill at the historic 19th Century Mt. Pulaski Courthouse to $4.8 million that Illinois owes Michigan for a health care partnership. Many businesses have gone months without payment.

Rauner, insistent on pro-business changes to boost commerce, can’t agree on an annual spending plan with Democrats who control the Legislature. They oppose his conservative agenda, saying a multibillion-dollar deficit needs tax-increase and spending-cut triage.

The state has deflected blame at times. When the Central Illinois Area Agency on Aging laid off a state-paid worker because of the spending freeze, the contract-termination letter noted, “the state does not intend to pursue damages as a result of this breach.”

That made the Peoria-based agency’s director, Keith Rider, scratch his head.
“If you have a contract with someone, and part of the contract is to pay them, and you don’t pay them, we’re in breach?” Rider asked. “That’s an ironic attitude for the state to take.”

Catherine Kelly, a spokeswoman for Gov. Bruce Rauner, says Rauner is frustrated but hopes to work with Democrats on a solution.