SPRINGFIELD -- The Illinois House voted to borrow more than $2.2 billion from its own pension funds Tuesday in a last-ditch attempt to avoid a budget meltdown.

With the state's fiscal year ending at midnight, the vote was seen as a way to show Gov. Pat Quinn that lawmakers are willing to work with him on a budget solution as long as he backs down from threats to cut funds to social service agencies.

State Rep. Chapin Rose, R-Mahomet, supported the measure, saying it represents a good faith effort on the part of Republican lawmakers to help Quinn address an $11.6 billion deficit.

"We're saying to him that we can work with him. It's now incumbent upon him to follow through," Rose said.

Quinn's office released a statement regarding the proposal, but didn't elaborate on whether the added money would stave off cuts to local agencies that serve the disabled, elderly and needy.

"This is a step in the right direction, and the governor looks forward to reviewing the legislation," the statement noted.

The vote on Senate Bill 415 was 101-7. The measure, which still needs Senate approval, will allow the state to cut in about half the more than $4 billion pension payment it was supposed to make next year.

The vote came as lawmakers continue to reject Quinn's call for an income tax increase. Even with the additional revenue from borrowing, however, the state will still carry a deficit into the new fiscal year.

"No one likes to borrow money," said state Rep. Roger Eddy, R-Hutsonville, who voted "yes." "This keeps the wolves away from the doors."

Among those voting against it was state Rep. Bill Mitchell, R-Forsyth.

"We trying to borrow our way out of a problem" Mitchell said. "It doesn't make sense to me."

So far, lawmakers are only scheduled to meet through the end of the day. That's not long to solve the state's budget deficit, leading to speculation they could meet longer into the summer.

"I don't think they'll let us out of here without something done," said state Rep. Pat Verschoore, D-Milan.

Even if no budget is in place, state government won't immediately come to a screeching halt on July 1.

Paychecks for state workers aren't due until later in the month and court orders require that the state still make payments for programs such as Temporary Assistance to Needy Families.

The state has headed into July without a budget in place twice since the 1990s. In both cases, few state services were significantly affected by the wrangling.

State Rep. Keith Sommer, R-Morton, said not having a budget by Wednesday is a concern, but not a cause for panic.

"We've been down this road before," Sommer said.

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