Legislation to address the state's $1.6 billion budget shortfall in the current fiscal year cleared the Democrat-controlled Illinois Senate Thursday and was subsequently signed by Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner. 

"By choosing to make difficult decisions on a bipartisan basis, the General Assembly is helping set a new tone for what can be achieved in Springfield," Rauner said in a statement.

On Wednesday, the Democrat-led Illinois House approved the legislation, which calls for a 2.25 percent across-the-board budget cut as well as the diversion of $1.3 billion from other funds, like parks and conservation.

The vote in the Senate was 32-26, with 12 of 39 Senate Democrats backing the bill.

State Sen. Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) was among the Senate Democrats who voted against the measure.

"I really wanted to be able to vote for this. I wanted to be able to reach across the aisle but we cut essential services," she told the Associated Press. "I just think there were other ways to solve this."

State lawmakers needed 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.

In a statement, House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) said, "This is a first step, but by no means a final step."

"There will be much more work and more decisions in the months ahead as legislators and the governor work to craft a responsible budget for the coming fiscal year," he said.