SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – Illinois House Democrats have relented and sent Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner a federal spending plan that doesn’t include state dollars.

After nearly an hour’s debate Wednesday on a measure that frees up federal money despite Illinois not having a state budget, the plan failed. It needed 71 votes to pass and received 54.

But majority Democrats had an alternative ready: legislation that stripped state funds and mirrored the plan the Senate passed without opposition last week. It was approved 98-0.

Republican leader Jim Durkin of Western Springs thanked the Democrats for dropping a proposal they knew Rauner would veto and stepping up with the idea the governor approves.

The legislation must return to the Senate for concurrence.