One Republican downstate Senator says that Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan and the rest of the Democrats, killed legislation that the State Senate overwhelmingly supported May 5th to provide temporary funding to Eastern Illinois University and other state universities and colleges.

Senator Dale Righter of Mattoon claims that it's, quoting Righter, "another in the long line of examples that demonstrate Speaker Madigan is an impediment, as opposed to helpful,” end of quote.

Righter went on to say that Madigan's decision to kill the legislation to keep it from moving in the Illinois House, is what Righter calls a disgrace.

Righter says the temporary funding would have been paid for by a specific revenue source, and came out of bipartisan negotiation between the Governor, Senate Democrats and Republicans.

Senate Bill 2048 would have brought parity back to the higher education system by allowing every university and community college to receive 60 percent funding during the state’s budget impasse.

Righter says he is hopeful another solution can be found very soon to give more certainty to all of higher education, as the General Assembly’s scheduled spring adjournment date is May 31.