Illinois lawmakers approved $700 million Thursday to partially finance cash-strapped human services programs during the state's historic budget stalemate, even as the governor considered tax increases and cuts that could finally move the state toward a full spending plan.

 

Lawmakers overwhelmingly approved the short-term aid, undermining Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner's idea of a "grand bargain" to pass a whole budget by month's end instead of another temporary fix during his nearly yearlong standoff with Democrats.

 

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