As some colleges and universities head toward a fiscal cliff, lawmakers are talking about ways to keep them afloat.
One plan would only fund five schools. State Rep. Rita Mayfield, a Waukegan Democrat, says money would go to Chicago State University, Western Illinois University, Eastern Illinois University, Northeastern Illinois University, and Southern Illinois University.
She says those are the schools most at risk of shutting down.
"This funding will provide emergency funding just to keep their doors open until hopefully we can get a budget over the summer,” Mayfield said.
Republicans are pushing a more comprehensive measure to cover tuition grants and some operational expenses.
Both plans would tap into money being held in special accounts. Higher education has gone without state funding since last summer.
