Lawmakers await state budget

SPRINGFIELD -- On one hand, state lawmakers say Gov. Rod Blagojevich needs to own up to the state's financial problems and propose some belt-tightening.

On the other, they'd really like him to come up with billions of new dollars for roads, bridges and schools.

That's the political scenario awaiting Blagojevich when he takes to the dais at noon today to deliver his state budget proposal.

At the Capitol, business lobbyists are scurrying over prospects of a so-called "carbon tax" that would penalize industry emissions and possibly raise billions of dollars.

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But suburban lawmakers, even the Democrats the governor will rely on to pass his agenda, said they're in the dark on budget details. Blagojevich has remained mum on how he plans to balance an increasingly tilted financial picture.

"I can't comment on the budget at this point," budget office spokeswoman Kelley Quinn said Tuesday.

Fresh in everyone's mind is the lengthy 2007 budget fight that saw the planned May adjournment of the General Assembly get strung out for months. The final touches on the current state budget -- due last July -- weren't completed until just a few weeks ago.

The fear is if Blagojevich and lawmakers can't play nice quickly, a repeat may be in store.

"I want to hear that we are going to work cooperatively to address these major issues so that we can end the political gridlock and start having a focus on problem solving and fiscal accountability," said state Rep. Kathy Ryg, a Vernon Hills Democrat.

An economic slump already has put the current budget nearly $750 million in the red even as the state's pension systems require an additional $750 million in the next budget.

That's a $1.5 billion tab before lawmakers even get to school funding or health care.

"I think he should recognize that we have a struggling economy, that revenues are down, that we need to take a hard look at meeting our obligations," said state Sen. Arthur "AJ" Wilhelmi, a Joliet Democrat.

At the same time, many lawmakers urge Blagojevich to come up with new money for construction across Illinois.

In a letter to Blagojevich, House Republican leader Tom Cross of Oswego stressed that the state's roadways are increasingly in disrepair and "passing a (construction) bill has become vital in ensuring public safety on roads throughout the state."

He also noted public school projects are stacking up.

The last major building program -- pushed by then-Gov. George Ryan in 1999 -- raised numerous vehicle fees and alcohol taxes to pay for it.

Last year, Blagojevich and Senate Democrats backed gambling expansion to pay for construction, but the plan stalled.