Gov. Bruce Rauner recently criticized the Democrats for passing a spending plan that is more than a billion dollars out of balance, according to analysis from his budget office. That same report noted that if one-time revenues are included, the state could see a surplus at the end of the year.

Another voice is urging Gov. Bruce Rauner to work with the budget that was passed over his objections.

The new state budget will fund Illinois colleges and universities at the level of funding they received in 2015 — minus 10 percent. But there’s one area of higher education that got a boost.  

The budget approved by Illinois lawmakers provides Western Illinois University with funding for last fiscal year and the current fiscal year. Now university leaders will decide how to proceed.

Passage of a new state budget in Springfield means it’s back to work for construction crews on several road projects in Illinois --- including the MCORE project in Champaign-Urbana’s Campustown.