By Nick Gale, WLS-AM News

(SPRINGFIELD, IL) The Illinois State Senate has given approval to a bill that would increase funding for financially struggling community colleges and universities by $454 million.

Lawmakers approved the bill Thursday afternoon and sent it over to the House. State Sen. Pat McGuire (D-Crest Hill) says it’s a strong showing of compromise.

“Let’s pay special attention to the fact that two weeks ago today there was no authorization for funding for Illinois public community colleges, public universities or nearly 131,000 MAP Grantees, so look at the progress we’ve made in the last two weeks,” McGuire said.

Last month, lawmakers used $600 million that was left over in an education fund to help colleges make payments through the summer, but both amounts still won’t make colleges and universities whole.

The state has been without a budget since July 1.

@ 2016 WLS-AM News