SPRINGFIELD  –  Illinois’ universities are getting more borrowing power, but Governor Pat Quinn is not.

The Illinois Senate has approved a plan that’ll allow universities to borrow up to 75-percent of what they are owed by the state.  That’ll likely be millions of dollars.  State Senator Chris Lauzzen says the schools shouldn’t be punished because state governent can’t balance its budget.

30310Lauzen1          :15          …not their problem.”

Chicago Democrat Ed Maloney says it is a problem for the schools, because Illinois’ universities are facing serious budget shortfalls.

30310Maloney1          :15          …for higher education.”

The Senate could not pass another borrowing plan that would have allowed the governor to borrow 250-million dollars for Medicaid bills.  Republicans say the state has borrowed enough.  Democrats say they’ll try agains with the Medicaid plan.