SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Illinois' public universities are being forced once again to plan to operate without state funding after going nearly the entire 2015-2016 school year without receiving any support amid the budget standoff between Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and the Legislature's Democratic leaders.
A six-month spending plan that has kept schools afloat runs out Dec. 31. There's no indication Rauner and top Democrats are close to reaching a deal on a budget for the rest of the school year.
The four top legislative leaders and the governor had been meeting behind closed doors during and after the Legislature's fall veto session, but Rauner canceled a Thursday meeting after House Democrats indicated they wouldn't present a budget proposal. Democrats say the governor is constitutionally obligated to present a budget plan.
