Illinois' State Budget Impasse Will Likely Stretch Into 2017 - Tom Schuba, NBC Chicago

With budget negotiations halted in Springfield, it seems unlikely that Gov. Bruce Rauner and the state’s top legislative leaders will be able to reach a new deal before the current stopgap spending plan expires at the end of the year. Although a good portion of the state's spending will continue to be covered through court orders and consent decrees, health and human services and higher education will likely continue to suffer without a budget. In April, Chicago State University was forced to lay off more than 300 employees as a result of the state’s budget crisis. The school faces a year-end deficit and could be forced to make further cuts, according to the Chicago Tribune. Funding for Monetary Award Program Grants expires at the end of the year, which could result in students losing tuition assistance. http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/illinois-state-budget-impasse-will-likely-stretch-into-2017-408426115.html