Blagojevich faces tough choices in budget speech
SPRINGFIELD -- Facing perhaps his most difficult State of the State address yet, Gov. Rod Blagojevich has gone silent, offering no hints about what programs he will tout or new ideas he'll float.
But the silence ends Wednesday, when the Chicago Democrat must spell out his proposals on a long list of concerns facing Illinois.
He'll have to decide whether to dwell on the state's budget problems or gloss over them. He could offer a just-the-basics budget or push major new spending and revenue ideas. He could continue his feud with legislators or try to hand them a rhetorical olive branch.
His administration is offering few insights about which governor will show up.
Unlike previous years, Blagojevich's office wouldn't discuss even general themes the governor plans to discuss or drop hints about new ideas he planned to promote.
"We're acutely aware of the economic climate and we're going to focus on how to make life easier on Illinois families," is all that spokeswoman Rebecca Rausch would say about the governor's plans.
The administration even delayed its usual briefings with the media and lawmakers the day before the speech, pushing them back instead until Wednesday morning. Rausch said the briefings were being delayed because the governor's office hadn't finished preparing the material.
"With the NIU shootings (last week), the focus of our office shifted for a few days and we're a little behind," Rausch said.
The high level of secrecy has raised suspicions at the state Capitol, where lobbyists and lawmakers are eagerly awaiting -- and to some extent dreading -- what Blagojevich wants to do.
That's because of the tough year they just went through, and a potentially even more difficult one ahead.
A souring state and national economy is slowing the money Illinois brings into its coffers, so much so that the administration says the current year's budget is $750 million in the hole.
Officials agree revenues likely will continue to drop next year. Combine that with increasing spending pressures from pension debt, education and unpaid health care bills and Illinois faces a bleak budget picture.
Blagojevich spokeswoman Abby Ottenhoff said without providing details that the governor will offer "some new approaches" that deal with the economic slowdown.
"The most important thing is to look for solutions that will help people and -- as a result -- our economy move in the right direction," Ottenhoff said.
In the past, Blagojevich has been fond of spotlighting new spending in his speeches. Last year, it was the universal health care program that lawmakers turned down. That idea or others could make an appearance this year.
Business groups were in a frenzy during the last week over rumors Blagojevich would propose a tax on business' carbon emissions to bring in potentially billions of dollars. Environmentalists and other lobbyists were bracing for major budget cuts rumored at the Department of Natural Resources, which oversees state parks and conservation areas.
There's also the unanswered question of billion of dollars worth of new statewide construction projects, which have been put off for several years because of no agreement on how to pay for them.
House Republican Leader Tom Cross sent the governor a letter last week urging cooperation toward finally getting a deal on a "capital construction" program.
Tension could be evident as Blagojevich addresses lawmakers in the House, where both Democrats and Republicans outwardly fought him on his key agenda items for most of last year.
Blagojevich could try to soothe any hurt feelings, but he has used past speeches to vilify critics of his proposals. Rausch indicated Blagojevich might not use a conciliatory tone.
"We think what people are looking for from their leaders are not naysayers or can't-doers," Rausch said. "They want to hear from their leaders what they can do for them."