The Illinois Senate President is encouraging Governor Bruce Rauner to rethink his priorities on student aid legislation, but the governor was quick to repeat his promise of a veto.

Gridlock has kept money from going to higher education in Illinois since July. Then, in a matter of hours on Thursday, Democratic lawmakers approved a plan that would pump $720 million into the system. Republicans are calling it a "cruel hoax" that's giving students false hope, even though they, too, say they want to help higher ed.

Democratic legislators have approved $721 million for tuition grants and community colleges. But Republicans call it an empty promise because Illinois still doesn't have a budget.  Gov. Bruce Rauner has already indicated he'll veto the measure.

Legislation filed Wednesday asks the state of Illinois to provide $168 million in tuition for low-income college students who were promised MAP grants last fall.