SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The Illinois Senate has overwhelmingly approved restoring $26 million in social service and public health grants that Gov. Bruce Rauner had frozen.

Sen. Dan Kotowski’s measure would continue funding programs including some for autism, smoking cessation and burials for indigent people.

The Senate voted 57-1 in favor. It now moves to the House.

The cuts came after the Republican governor agreed with legislative Democrats to cut other programs and shift funding to plug a $1.6 billion deficit in the current state spending plan.

Rauner budget director Tim Nuding apologized to a House committee Tuesday for a miscommunication on the reductions. He says he intended to make clear that further cuts might be necessary.

A message seeking comment was left for a Rauner spokeswoman.

 

 

 

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