A bill will give Gov. Bruce Rauner the spending authority to honor his commitment to students in regard to the Monetary Award Program, however, it does not require the him to spend the money, according to the Illinois’ State Senate website.

The Illinois Senate introduced SB2043 Tuesday to Rauner’s office, according to a news Release.

Rauner will give his 2016 Budget Address for Fiscal Year 2017 today even though the state has yet to approve a budget for FY 2016.

5,700 NIU students for the 2015-16 academic year use the state-funded MAP grant in order to pay for their education.