NE Illinois U. to lay off student aides amid budget impasse

CHICAGO (AP) - Northeastern Illinois University says the state's budget deadlock is forcing it to lay off about 300 student aides and close its entire Chicago campus during this month's spring break.

The weeklong closure will shutter all university services, including computer labs and the library.

Interim President Richard J. Helldobler said Friday about 300 student aides will be terminated before the start of a new furlough program that's the school's second in the past year.

That furlough will require nearly all school employees to take five unpaid days of leave during spring break.

Illinois Senate Democrats this week halted consideration of a plan intended to end the Legislature's two-year budget standoff with Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner.

Helldobler says the budget impasse is causing "unnecessary fear and worry" among the school's students.