SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois House approved a plan Wednesday to keep state government afloat while lawmakers and Gov. Rod Blagojevich attempt to iron out their differences over a budget.

On a 111-3 vote, the House backed the passage of a temporary spending plan that will avert a shutdown of state services once the new fiscal year begins July 1.

The measure, which will pay the state's bills through July 31, now moves to the Senate and could be on the governor's desk by Friday.

"This will allow the business of government to go on," said state Rep. Gary Hannig, D-Litchfield.

The idea of a temporary budget arose last week after lawmakers began fretting about the possibility that welfare checks, aid to schools and money for universities would begin to dry up if no budget was in place.

"I think it is the only responsible and prudent thing to do," said state Rep. Roger Eddy, R-Hutsonville, in urging his colleagues to support the stopgap spending plan.

House Minority Leader Tom Cross, R-Oswego, said Democrats who control state government should be "ashamed" that they can't find common ground.

"Up until now, we have failed miserably," Cross said.

The governor wants a massive expansion of health care, but his plan to finance the proposal with a huge increase in business taxes was shot down in the House months ago.

Senate President Emil Jones, D-Chicago, has been Blagojevich's staunchest ally at the bargaining table, but he has said his No. 1 priority is funding for schools.

Republicans favor a leaner budget that allows the state to pay its bills on time.

Lawmakers also want to resolve the lingering issue of high electric rates before they vote on a budget.

While those issues are being hashed out, the temporary budget will keep the state from "slowly grinding to a halt," said Hannig.

The temporary budget will keep funding for most state programs at the current levels. It will allow the governor to pay out raises to union workers and will allow universities to operate without having to dip into their tuition dollars to stay afloat.

But not everyone was pleased with the plan.

State Rep. Jack Franks, D-Woodstock, voted against the temporary budget, saying it will only prolong an already lengthy overtime session.

"We should have a showdown, here and now," said Franks. "We were elected to make tough choices."

The legislation is House Bill 3920.