Madigan sets budget roadshow

SPRINGFIELD -- The war of words among the state's Democratic leaders continues as House Speaker Michael Madigan on Thursday ripped the governor's recent spending cuts as "budget savagery."

Madigan announced a series of 19 public hearings across the state designed to "put a human face" on Gov. Rod Blagojevich's vetoes.

"The governor's savage cuts will have seriously adverse consequences for millions of Illinois residents. Legislators are furious at the idea of taxpayers in their districts being shortchanged, and they are offended at the prospects that the will of the General Assembly might be disregarded," Madigan, a Chicago Democrat, said in a release announcing the hearings.

The harsh words and pending meetings are in response to more than $400 million in budget cuts by Blagojevich that targeted his political rivals but left alone projects and programs sought by allies or those whose support he needs.

The governor wants to use the money to finance an expansion of government health care programs, which lawmakers rejected.

In one instance, Blagojevich, also a Chicago Democrat, wiped out a lawmaker's request for state assistance to rebuild a suburban bridge but left alone another lawmaker's request for the same project. The result is the state budget includes money for half a bridge.

But the administration fired back Thursday, taking issue with tone of Madigan's announcement and blaming lawmakers for any budget shortcomings.

"Let's get real - the vetoes represent less than a 1 percent cut to a $50 billion budget," said Justin DeJong, spokesman for the governor's budget office. "This gross exaggeration serves as a distraction to the fact the General Assembly didn't include enough revenues in the budget to pay for many worthy projects that were vetoed, so they're looking to place that blame with us.

The tour is in advance of an expected attempt by lawmakers to override the governor's vetoes.

Area locations, dates and times include:

창€¢ Sept. 18, 6 p.m. - Hoffman Estates village hall cafeteria, 1900 Hassell Rd.

창€¢ Sept. 19, 6 p.m. - Phillips Park Visitors Center, 1000 Ray Moses Dr., Aurora

창€¢ Sept. 19, 6 p.m.- McHenry College Conference Center, 8900 Route 14, Crystal Lake

창€¢ Sept. 25, 4 p.m. - Northbrook village hall council chambers, 1225 Cedar Lane