The Illinois House passed a bill, by a 69-48 vote, Wednesday that would close a $1.6 billion budget gap in the current fiscal year. State senate leaders are now tasked with finding the votes needed to send the legislation to the governor's desk.

To fill the gap, the bill calls for a 2.25 percent across-the-board budget cuts as well as the diversion of some $1.3 billion from other funds, like parks and conservation. Gov. Bruce Rauner would also determine how some $97 million would be doled out amongst schools in need, as part of the legislation's mandates.

The state legislature must come to a concensus on how to close the budget gap in order to prevent state agencies and services, like the state court reporter and Chid Care Assistance programs, from running out of operating funds.

The state senate is expected to vote on the bill as soon as Thursday.