Illinois Senate Democrats are hoping to win bipartisan support for a partial government spending plan. The proposal would release more than $800 million that’s been collected in special state accounts for higher education and human services, areas that have been particularly squeezed during the 22-month budget stalemate.

Illinois Senate President John Cullerton says he and his colleagues will take up a partial government spending bill passed by the House earlier this month.

Democrats in the Illinois House of Representatives Thursday passed a plan to send more than $800 million to human services and universities. They call it a “lifeline” for programs facing catastrophe.

Over the summer, Hannah Meisel took a look at how the lack of a full state budget was affecting businesses in university towns. This week, Illinois Issues is revisiting that story because as the budget impasse drags on, several universities could face fiscal crisis and college-town economies continue to suffer.

Rosecrance executive director Sheila Ferguson remains hopeful that the agency can partner with other local agencies to weather any further state cuts in 2017.