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Illinois' Budget Picture Could Become Clearer This Week

By IL Public Radio

Springfield, IL – ILLINOIS GOVERNOR ROD BLAGOJEVICH IS LOOKING TO LAWMAKERS TO HELP HIM OUT OF A FISCAL BIND. BUT THERE'S NO INDICATION THEY'LL COOPERATE.

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY APPROVED A BUDGET IN MAY.... BUT THE HOUSE NEVER CAME THROUGH WITH ALL THE MONEY TO PAY FOR IT. THAT'S FORCED BLAGOJEVICH TO CONSIDER MORE THAN ONE AND A HALF BILLION DOLLARS IN SPENDING CUTS UNLESS THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY APPROVES MORE FUNDING.

THE CUTS WOULD BE A HIT TO HUMAN SERVICES... EDUCATION AND OTHER AREAS. BUT BLAGOJEVICH SAYS THERE'S NO WAY HE CAN SIGN A NEW BUDGET THAT'S SO FAR OUT OF BALANCE.

BLAGOJEVICH HAS SPENT THE PAST FEW WEEKS POINTING THE FINGER AT HOUSE LAWMAKERS. HE WANTS THE HOUSE TO PASS PLANS THAT WOULD BRING IN REVENUE FROM LEASING THE STATE'S LOTTERY AND SHIFTING OTHER MONEY FROM DEDICATED ACCOUNTS. THAT WAY... HE WOULD BE SPARED THE CRITICISM OF HAVING TO GET OUT THE BUDGET AX FOR THE SECOND STRAIGHT YEAR.

HE'S CALLED A SPECIAL SESSION OF THE LEGISLATURE LATER THIS WEEK TO DEAL WITH THOSE MATTERS. BUT FEW EXPECT THE HOUSE WILL GO ALONG. AND TIME IS RUNNING OUT... WITHOUT A BUDGET BY THE END OF THIS WEEK... THE STATE COULD BE FORCED TO DELAY PAYCHECKS TO SOME EMPLOYEES.

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