Illinois is sitting on $4 billion in cash. The money sits in 531 special accounts set up for specific purposes. Although noone has suggested using these special funs to fix the current budget crisis, it has been known that lawmakers and governments have used some of those funds in the past to pay state expenses and stave off financial distress.
Just last month ago Republican Governor agreed with Democratic lawmakers to use $3 billion from 112 such special accounts, although for purpouses for which those accounts have been set up.
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