Susana Mendoza sworn in as Illinois comptroller

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Susana Mendoza is officially the state's new comptroller.

The Democrat took the oath of office Monday morning in Springfield. She beat incumbent Leslie Munger in last month's election.

Mendoza will serve the remaining two years of the late Judy Barr Topinka's term.

Governor Bruce Rauner appointed Munger to replace Topinka after she died suddenly two years ago.

Mendoza takes over during a period of crisis. The state continues limping along without a budget for the second year in a row because of disagreements between GOP Gov. Bruce Rauner and Democrats who control the Legislature.

The backlog of overdue bills tops $10 billion. Six Democratic state representatives sued the comptroller Friday over paychecks they haven't received since May.

Mendoza says she will continue putting lawmakers' pay in line with all other bills unless ordered differently by a court. She is treating her $136,000 salary similarly.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.