By Associated Press
Springfield, IL – GOVERNOR ROD BLAGOJEVICH'S HUGE CAPITAL CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM IS GETTING A HEARING IN THE ILLINOIS HOUSE, BUT HARDLY ANYONE IS LISTENING.
DEMOCRATIC HOUSE SPEAKER MICHAEL MADIGAN'S CHIEF BUDGET NEGOTIATOR FINALLY CALLED FOR ORDER IN THE NOISY HOUSE CHAMBER AFTER BEING APPROACHED BY FRUSTRATED REPUBLICAN LEADER TOM CROSS.
ONE OF BLAGOJEVICH'S PITCHMEN FOR THE PROJECT - S-I-U PRESIDENT GLENN POSHARD - HAD TO TALK OVER THE DIN OF CHATTING HOUSE MEMBERS AS HE OUTLINED DETAILS OF THE $34-BILLION PLAN FOR ROADS AND SCHOOLS.
BEFORE THEY LEFT FOR THE SUMMER, HOUSE DEMOCRATS USED A PARLIAMENTARY MOVE TO KILL OFF A GAMBLING MEASURE THAT WOULD HAVE FUNDED IT AND AS A RESULT TANKED THE WHOLE CONSTRUCTION PACKAGE.
LAWMAKERS ARE BACK IN SPRINGFIELD TO DEAL WITH THE UNBALANCED STATE BUDGET AND THE CAPITAL PLAN.
