By Peter Hancock, includes “… Mendoza noted, however, that the budget was predicated on the idea that the state could borrow $5 billion to $6.5 billion through various sources, including the Municipal Liquidity Facility. … Without the borrowing, Mendoza noted, lawmakers would have been faced with the prospect of making 35% cuts across the board. … ‘As Illinois considers the possibility of engaging in additional borrowing, it must be cautioned this is not 'free money.' It must be repaid,’ she said.”