Red ink might leave potholes unfilled

SPRINGFIELD -- Road repair projects could be put on hold in the coming weeks because the state is running out of money, Republican lawmakers warned Thursday.

"The rough winter just past took a heavy toll on Illinois' roads, so the Department of Transportation has a legitimate need for more funding," said state Sen. Dale Risinger of Peoria, a former department engineer.

A department spokesman confirmed times are tough. Brian Williamsen said $40 million was budgeted for winter operations and the tab was more than double that.

"We really do have to consider some really tough options," said Williamsen. "When the money runs out, there is only so much we can do."

Additional funding for the transportation department and other state agencies is mired in political gridlock at the Capitol.

The spending plan for the current budget year is nearly $750 million out of balance. The budget year ends on June 30, and the imbalance is beginning to show up in the possibility of stalled projects, program cuts and greater delays in getting payment from the state.

Gov. Rod Blagojevich proposed and the Democratic-controlled Senate approved added spending and dollars but linked it all to the governor's health care expansion agenda. That's among the reasons the Illinois House has not taken up the issue.

Republican senators proposed Thursday a scaled-back version of that spending plan, one that includes money only to keep the transportation department running.

State Sen. Kirk Dillard, a Hinsdale Republican, said the state's roads are becoming safety hazards and it is unconscionable to put off the work. He said potholes on Butterfield Road are on the verge of becoming "sinkholes" and a daily danger for suburban commuters.

Speculation of transportation department spending cuts has circulated in Springfield for weeks. Last year, the administration threatened to pull state troopers off the roads if lawmakers didn't approve a budget. That didn't happen.

A Blagojevich spokeswoman did not return a message seeking comment.

In related news, legislative leaders emerged from closed doors to say they continue to have good discussions on piecing together a multibillion-dollar construction spending program, but how to finance it remains elusive.

Senate President Emil Jones Jr., a Chicago Democrat, emerged to tell reporters everything was on the table, including an income tax increase.

Next out of the governor's office was Senate Republican leader Frank Watson of downstate Greenville, who promptly said an income tax was off the table.

Watson said lawmakers were discussing raising vehicle fees, selling off a portion of the state lottery and gambling expansion to come up with the needed billions.

"Nothing's concrete," he said.