The Illinois Supreme Court temporarily blocked a ruling by an appeals court Tuesday that threw out a $31 billion capital construction program.

The capital bill included $22 million in funding to renovate the NIU Stevens Building and $2 million to plan a new “technology emporium.”

The appellate deemed this bill unconstitutional because it violated the Illinois Constitution’s “single-subject rule.”

The bill included tax hikes on liquor, candy and personal grooming items to fund infrastructure projects on roads and schools around the state.

The Illinois Supreme Court temporarily blocked the ruling of the lower court until they ruled on the constitutionality of the bill.

Wirtz Beverage Illinois, which is run by Rocky Wirtz, the chairman of the board of the Chicago Blackhawks, initially challenged the constitutionality of the bill because of the higher taxes imposed over wine and liquor rather than beer.

Due to the winter storm this week the Illinois General Assembly canceled sessions and committees, but are set to reconvene next Tuesday.

Until the Illinois Supreme Court rules on the matter, projects will continue as scheduled and higher taxes will be collected. If the Supreme Court rules in favor of the appellate court’s ruling, then legislators can go back and pass sections of the bill in other individual bills.

Funding for Cole Hall and other projects around campus were not affected by last week’s appellate court ruling.