At least some of the lawmakers headed back to Springfield Wednesday are optimistic progress could be made towards a state budget after almost two years without a spending plan.

Southern Illinois University in Carbondale is laying off 53 people and will not renew the contracts of another 26 employees as it tries to cut $19 million dollars in spending, spokeswoman Rae Goldsmith said Wednesday.

On the 21st: We learned about programs in Illinois designed to help new parents. Plus, we heard the latest on budget negotiations in Springfield and learned about a robot designed to fly like a bat.

Governor Bruce Rauner said Tuesday that Senate Democrats must make “real spending cuts” in their proposed budget compromise. But just a few hours later, Rauner administration agency heads frustrated state senators by refusing to answer questions about where agencies could tighten their belts.

Three of the public universities hardest hit by the state budget crisis will split $17 million in emergency funding, according to the Chicago Tribune. The paper reports that the Illinois Board of Higher Education voted unanimously Wednesday to send the lifeline funding to Chicago State, Western Illinois and Eastern Illinois universities.