Illinois' lingering budget stalemate means public universities will keep waiting on state funding, as will many social service agencies. But it's likely the Secretary of State's office will soon get money to keep drivers' license facilities open. The state Lottery is expected to get the money it needs to pay winnings. And domestic violence services will receive millions.
That's because the Illinois House today approved some 3 billion dollars in spending. Members of both parties had complaints, some that the measure goes too far, others that it doesn't go far enough. But House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie says it's a compromise.
"But I would say that a piecemeal approach is better than no approach at all. It is important to fund Illinois state government and even doing it in a partial way is better than not trying it at all."
The Senate is set to return to Springfield Monday December 7th to consider the plan.
