Having failed to win support for his cornerstone income tax hike, Gov. Pat Quinn attempted Tuesday to turn criticism on lawmakers, forecasting cuts to human service programs if they fail to "get in the arena" and balance the budget.

"I don't think we should stand for it," Quinn told a supportive banquet for the Illinois Maternal & Child Health Coalition, which pushes for state services. "I don't think the people of Illinois should stand for it."

Quinn said the budget lawmakers passed over the weekend to fund government for just half of the year will slash the state's safety net without more revenue.

Two weeks ago, Quinn painted a dire picture of cuts that would come if his tax increase was not approved - involving everything from cuts in the state police force to elimination of preschool programs.

His speech Tuesday highlighted only social services issues and went into limited detail on just a sampling of proposed cuts. But he said the budget as it exists will lead to 65,000 people being kicked out of alcohol and substance addiction treatment, a 50 percent cut in support payments to foster parents, elimination of adoption subsidies and a reduction of mental health services to 175,000, among other 'doomsday' predictions.

The temporary budget doesn't actually outline these or other specific cuts, but Quinn spokesman Bob Reed said meeting the overall figures would necessitate such program reductions.

Opponents of tax hike plans have said they want to see more budget cutting before they consider Quinn's plan to raise the income tax rate by 50 percent, from 3 percent to 4.5 percent. Other ideas for generating revenue are up in the air, including a plan to add four new casinos and put slot machines at racetracks.

State Sen. Kirk Dillard, a Hinsdale Republican, on Tuesday labeled the governors' budget cutting threats a "parade of horribles" and "nothing more than a scare tactic."

The Senate GOP has called for cuts in state-funded health insurance expanded under Gov. Rod Blagojevich and moving Medicaid to managed care coverage to help fill the budget hole.

"When is someone going to sit down and do a line by line review of spending?" Dillard asked rhetorically. "It is always unconscionable to ask taxpayers for more without cutting spending, especially during a recession."

Quinn's preferred income tax hike failed in the House over the weekend. A 67 percent income tax rate hike passed the Senate, but has not come for a House vote.

That leaves the state facing a $12 billion budget hole over the next two fiscal years starting July 1. And now that a constitutional May 31 deadline has passed, any new budget will require the approval of Republicans as well as Democrats under as the bar for passage is raised.

Legislative leaders and the governor are set to meet again on Thursday.

At the same time, Quinn is trying to hold a coveted public works spending package over lawmakers' heads. While it is not yet technically at his desk for a signature, he said the $29 billion bonanza of road, school and transit projects won't get his signature until a balance budget is approved.

The spending would be funded by allowing video gambling machines in bars, clubs, restaurants and truck stops, along with privatizing the lottery, raising liquor taxes and hiking vehicle registration fees.

Quinn stopped short of saying he would force lawmakers into a special session this summer to pass a tax hike or other revenue generator, a practice that won his predecessor, Rod Blagojevich, much scorn from the General Assembly.

But Quinn did attempt to turn up the heat on fellow statewide office holders, including Attorney General Lisa Madigan, the daughter of House Speaker Michael Madigan and a potential challenger for the state's top post next year. He said he was "disappointed" in statewide officials who didn't stand by him in calling for tax hikes. He said they where "going out the back door, not willing to take a stand."

While railing against lawmakers who refused to back a tax hike, Quinn repeatedly quoted the Bible and invoked Illinois veterans who rely on state services. He said he expected better from the Democratic Party.

"We do not throw people on the side of the road as the wagon train moves forward," he said.