The Ryan administration Friday said it would delay for up to two years plans to hire a new manager for the state's troubled child-support check distribution center, arguing that a change now could stifle the progress made in fixing a system that once misdirected tens of thousands of checks.

The surprise announcement prompted an outcry from critics who complained that the system is still far from fixed.

It came only days after Gov. George Ryan said he would not seek reimbursement for about $10 million worth of emergency payments sent to tide over families whose child-support checks had been lost or delayed in the months after Illinois started the new centralized distribution system in October 1999.

The state initially hired the office of DuPage County Circuit Clerk Joel Kagann to operate the new system, but Kagann opted not to renew his contract after the meltdown led to a firestorm of criticism about his management. The state has been running the center with the help of a consulting firm since June.

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-- Anonymous, March 04, 2001