Moline Acres appeared to get 34 percent of its operating revenue from court fines, and Normandy more than 38 percent, the suit said.

Moline Acres was cited in the lawsuit for inflating its general operating revenue, including by adding more than $2.5 million in money borrowed for roadwork. So while the city reported traffic revenue at only 16 percent of its general operating revenue, it actually appears to be well over 30 percent, the suit contends. The city attorney for Moline Acres, Donnell Smith, could not be reached for comment.

Normandy is being judged in the suit on a fiscal year that occurred almost entirely before the law was changed, complained Steve Garrett, the city attorney.

Garrett also pointed out that in December 2013, a judge issued an order in the Missouri Municipal League suit that put changes to the law on hold until the case was resolved. While the suit was unsuccessful, an appeal is still pending. Many municipalities, Garrett said, believe that stay is still in effect.