Illinois legislators will return to Springfield Tuesday ... with no prospect of finalizing a budget for the state.
So what will they do during the one-day session?
Steve Brown, state House Speaker Michael Madigan’s spokesman, says the plight of Illinois universities and community colleges will be in the spotlight during that meeting.
"We have a committee of the whole,” Brown said. “We'll examine higher education issue, and the impact that the governor's veto of higher ed. funding, what the impact of that's been so far, as they get ready and head into there, get ready for second semester."
Those schools have gone more than 130 days without any money from Springfield. School leaders, like Western Illinois University President Jack Thomas, traveled to Springfield a couple weeks ago meet with the governor about the challenges that presents.
"When you look at west central Illinois, and Macomb, Illinois, we're it,” Thomas said. “We are a college town. Whatever happens to Western Illinois University, happens to the entire region and into our town."
Now, representatives from the higher education community will make their case for funding before the entire Illinois House.
Legislators are also set to vote on a plan to reverse the governor's cuts to a program that helps low-income working parents pay for child care. A previous attempt came up short.
The pressure's high as Democrats look to try again.
