chicago second time two weeks illinois senate move loosen financial death grip state high education system starve operate revenue record-setting 11-month state budget stalemate senate thursday overwhelmingly approve send house representatives 454 million spend package eight public universities community colleges low-income students dependent monetary award program grant bipartisan move could stave mass layoffs several state universities build 600 million higher-education appropriation republican governor bruce rauner sign april 25. thursday action also represent another encourage break state acrimonious budget fight governor democrats control state legislature face schedule legislative adjournment end may since find dollars appropriate universities make competitive make viable give bridge go forth 2017 budget say state senator donne trotter chicago democrat sponsor thursday legislation late appropriation support financially companion legislation pass senate thursday authorize rauner administration repay 454 million borrow state special-purpose fund 2015 fiscal year without legislative action amount would repay june 30 state main operational fund approach draw isolate claim budgetary sleight hand floor debate ridiculous swap money one pocket another say say state senator kyle mccarter republican lebanon illinois rural enclave nearly 300 miles southwest chicago senate-passed legislation act house tuesday early legislative chamber schedule reconvene respite state higher-education system come community colleges receive rat downgrade negative outlooks moody investors service recent weeks chicago state university face threat possible closure illinois senate vote 454 million higher-education package