When the income tax rate rolled back in January, it left Illinois without money for certain programs. Like one that helps low-income parents go to work or school, by alleviating their child care costs. The program didn't shut down; Illinois just stopped paying.
Rich Carter is spokesman for Illinois Comptroller Leslie Munger.
"Many of them have actually gone more than six weeks without their promised state payment, so it's been very difficult for them," Carter said.
Now that a law -- new as of Thursday -- fills the $1.6 billion budget gap, Carter says the state will once again be able to pay daycare providers. He says the comptroller's working to expedite payments.
"We're getting these things out ASAP - as soon as possible."
The law relies on cuts elsewhere, and dips into other state funds, to come up with the money.
Illinois still has billions of dollars of bills owed, that it's late paying.