A House Republican is pushing a temporary funding measure for higher education while Illinois limps along without a state budget.
Rep. Mike Fortner of West Chicago and Democratic Sen. Pat McGuire of Joliet propose an idea to release $558 million to keep Illinois four-year colleges afloat until fall.
Of that, $200 million would go toward the income-based Monetary Award Program grants that many schools have paid upfront for needy students this year without state reimbursement.
The money is in an educational assistance fund financed by income tax and gambling revenue.The budget stalemate between Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and Democrats who control the Legislature has left universities to fend all school year on their own.
