Gov. Bruce Rauner has improperly withheld funds from “911” emergency telephone boards, St. Clair County alleges in its own circuit court.
The county sued state officials on Sept. 21, for an injunction requiring distribution of funds to its Emergency Telephone System Board.
Boards across the state received their last regular distribution on Aug. 17.
St. Clair County challenges Rauner’s position that he can’t release 911 funds until he has signed a budget for the current fiscal year.
The county’s complaint asserts a vested right to surcharges that phone companies collect from phone owners and pass along to the state.
Kevin Kaufhold of Belleville filed the county’s complaint as special assistant to state’s attorney Brendan Kelly.
Kaufhold wrote that the Emergency Telephone System Board relies on surcharges for more than 70 percent of its budget.
He wrote that the board is paying bonds to support new infrastructure.
“Without such disbursement, the bonds will default,” he wrote.
“Default on these bonds endangers the future existence of the St. Clair County ETSB as well as the safety and security of the citizens of St. Clair County.”
The Board’s executive director, Herb Simmons, verified the complaint.