SPRINGFIELD | U.S. Sen. Barack Obama knows he has plenty of support in his former Springfield stomping grounds.

And some Democratic state lawmakers are using the presidential candidate's campaign as reason to push a bare-bones budget before bailing out of Springfield by Saturday's session deadline in order to help Obama earn the Democratic presidential nod.

Senate President Emil Jones Jr. acknowledged Wednesday that Obama's bid for the White House has him eager to conclude the current legislative session as soon as possible.

"We intend to be out of here because the next president of the United States will be looking for us in Denver," said Jones, a Chicago Democrat.

If a budget plan isn't approved by midnight Saturday, Democrats would need Republican votes to send a budget to the governor.

Lawmakers also are wary of a repeat of last year when they had to put personal and family plans on hold during a lengthy overtime session.

"There will be no June in Springfield," said state Sen. Kwame Raoul, D-Chicago.

The added incentive of going out to help their former colleague shore up the Democratic presidential nomination has some lawmakers ready to leave the Statehouse, regardless of whether the state's business has been completed.

"That's one of the factors we're looking at," said state Sen. John Sullivan, D-Rushville.

However, an Obama spokeswoman said the U.S. senator would like Springfield lawmakers to take care of business at home before coming to his aid.

"The Obama campaign certainly does not want to get in the way of state business in Springfield," Amy Brundage said. "Though we are grateful for the support we have from Senator Obama's former colleagues and friends in Springfield, we have not encouraged lawmakers to leave session early to campaign for us."

Senate Minority Leader Frank Watson, R-Greenville, scoffed at Democrats playing the Obama card to get out of Springfield. He said it is just another example of Democratic lawmakers missing the point of public service.

"I'm for getting out on time, and I'm for taking care of the state's business, and if that's done by Friday then great," Watson said. "But if this is done hastily, we're going to have to go back and redo this thing like we've had to time and time again when the Democrats have rushed through this."

Kartikay Mehrotra may be reached at (217) 789-0865 or via e-mail at Kartikay.mehrotra@lee.net.