A measure to add $453 million for Illinois colleges and universities during the state's historic budget stalemate is expected to be considered in the state Senate this week.
A Senate committee gave initial approval to the funding today. Lawmakers are proposing to get the money by not repaying various state funds they borrowed from. The additional money being proposed would get higher education institutions to 60% of what would have been their current year funding levels.
Last month, lawmakers approved $600 million in short-term aid for colleges and universities that had not received state aid since July 1. That's when the current year's budget should have taken effect.
Colleges have been laying off staff as result of the budget stalemate. Chicago State University laid off 300 employees on Friday.
