SPRINGFIELD -- All of the state's major public universities are feeling the pinch of the state's budget meltdown, but it appears Southern Illinois University is the only one worried about making payroll.

The state is months behind in paying its bills, and university leaders across the state have called for various belt-tightening measures to weather the $500 million-plus shortfall.

SIU's share is more than $105 million. A university spokesman said this week that it could mean employees going without paychecks.

Illinois State University hasn't received any of the more than $40.9 million it was supposed to get from the state beginning July 1. ISU is using tuition dollars and other locally held sources of cash to continue operating.

"We're in good financial shape because of our planning," ISU spokesman Jay Groves said Thursday.

At Western Illinois University, which is waiting for $28.8 million in state funds, President Al Goldfarb issued a statement urging all offices to limit spending to immediate needs.

"Please be assured the university will continue to meet its payroll obligation to employees, as well as pay essential bills," Goldfarb said in his statement.

At Eastern Illinois University, which is waiting for more than $22 million, President Bill Perry didn't hint at any payroll issues in a letter to the campus in September.

But, Perry said Eastern is limiting hiring and seeking cost savings.

At the University of Illinois, officials have received about $400,000 at a time when they should have already gotten $280 million from the state.

The university is reviewing review hiring, purchasing and travel costs. "We have extremely serious cash flow problems," outgoing U of I President Joseph White said Thursday.

Leaders say next year could be even worse because federal stimulus dollars won't be flowing into the university.