The Latest: Illinois universities grateful; say more needed

Leaders of Illinois' public universities are thankful for the money the stop-gap funding bill passed by the state's General Assembly will provide.

The Illinois Senate has approved a measure that would send $450 million in temporary aid to human service programs during the state's budget stalemate.

Bill sponsor Democratic Sen. Heather Steans of Chicago said Friday the plan would help support agencies that have cut services while operating without state funding since July 1.

The measure would use money from the Commitment to Human Services fund to pay for addiction treatment, homelessness prevention and senior services, among other things.

Illinois Comptroller Leslie Munger says she's going to "immediately" begin processing payments to universities and colleges after lawmakers approved a $600 million short-term funding fix during the state's unprecedented budget impasse.

Illinois legislative leaders are praising a short-term plan to help struggling universities during the budget impasse, though both sides are bickering about its meaning and how to move forward.

Rauner is expected to sign the measure, which provides a one-time infusion of money thanks to a surplus in a state education fund.

Illinois lawmakers have approved a $600 million short-term funding infusion for higher education institutions that have been struggling financially due to not receiving state money during the state budget impasse.

Rauner and legislative Democrats have been deadlocked on a spending plan for the fiscal year that began July 1, which has led some state universities to institute layoffs and cutbacks.