Fully funded tuition grants approved, Republicans say measure will increase defecit

In a 39-15 vote, the state Senate approved a bill that would fully fund tuition grants for low-income students. The bill still needs to be signed by Gov. Rauner, which might not come to fruition as many Republicans have argued the state simply does not have the funds to pay for the measure. Under the Monetary Award Program, approximately $397 million would go to colleges and universities according to the Associated Press.