CHICAGO (AP) — Employees and students at Chicago State University are being asked to turn in their keys to campus facilities in an example of how the lack of a state budget is affecting higher education in Illinois.

The financially troubled university on Chicago’s South Side has been at risk of running out of money as Illinois’ public colleges and universities have waited since July for state funding held up by the budget standoff in Springfield.

Notices of potential layoffs were sent in February to all 900 employees. University President Thomas Calhoun also eliminated spring break and announced the semester will end April 28.

On Monday, administrator Aleshia Renee Terry asked department chairs to begin collecting keys from faculty, staff, administrators and students “as soon as possible.”

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