Reis Terms Higher Ed Bill Approval, Adjournment by House "Outrageous"

Local State Representative David Reis termed "outrageous" approval by Democrats in the Illinois House of a higher ed funding bill and then a vote to adjourn for one month.

The House voted 70-43 to approve the spending bill of $3.7 billion and 61-52 on a companion measure that would cancel a requirement that the State repay $454 million borrowed from special funds to plug holes in last year's budget. House Republicans argue the measures will just add to the state's backlog of unpaid bills.

Following the votes, House Republicans moved to return to work today in an attempt to negotiate on the state budget, but Democrat leadership ruled the motion out of order. Speaker Mike Madigan then moved to adjourn until April 4, a month from today.