SPRINGFIELD | Despite few signs that the political logjam is loosening, Gov. Rod Blagojevich Wednesday called on lawmakers to return to the Capitol next week for another go-around on the state budget.
The governor urged the Illinois House to sign off on a number of proposals that could help close a $2 billion budget gap.
The call for a special session came as the state entered its second day of the new fiscal year without a spending plan in place.
Officials say Illinoisans won't likely notice the lack of a budget for at least the next 10 days.
The governor's decree is the latest chapter in a high-stakes game of political chicken with House Speaker Michael Madigan
The move could result in a repeat of last summer, when the governor's call for a special session yielded more acrimony than progress.
"I'm not overly encouraged that this will be productive," said state Rep. Dan Brady, R-Bloomington.
Blagojevich said he was forced into calling for the special session because Madigan hadn't yet taken any action to avert possible budget cuts.
"Since the House Democratic leaders have failed to call the House back to Springfield to pass these revenues, I must do the responsible thing for the state and call them back myself," Blagojevich said.
In making the announcement, however, Blagojevich offered no new proposals that could end the stalemate.
For example, House Democratic leaders are skittish over Blagojevich's proposal to raise $400 million by restructuring state pension programs because of instability in the nation's economy.
A proposal to transfer money out of special state funds also has met resistance and attempts to expand gambling and lease the state lottery have already been turned down in the House.
State Rep. George Scully, D-Flossmoor, said the proposals don't have much support.
"They will almost certainly be voted down," Scully said.
If no additional money is approved, the governor says he'll cut $1.5 billion out of the budget. Aid to poor people, Amtrak riders, hospitals, nursing homes and veterans would be affected.
State Rep. Chapin Rose, R-Mahomet, said Democrats in the House were aware in May that this scenario could play itself out.
"I've not seen anything that's changed since then," Rose said.
-- Kurt Erickson can be reached at kurt.erickson@lee.net or (217) 789-0865.
