Governor's plan would tie budget solution to capital program

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) -- Governor Rod Blagojevich is pushing Illinois lawmakers to come up with a new budget even though he isn't offering many new ideas for a solution.

Instead, Blagojevich is urging legislators to reconsider several revenue measures that have failed in the past.

They include borrowing to pay off pension debt and dipping into special state funds.

Some lawmakers see no reason to think those ideas will suddenly be embraced. But others hope that the fear of a long summer of gridlock will change some minds.

The Democratic governor also argues it would be easier to balance the budget if lawmakers approve a huge construction program. That idea has been discussed for years without significant progress.

Lawmakers have already passed one version of the budget, but Blagojevich says it's $2 billion out of balance.

He's supposed to meet with top lawmakers again tomorrow.

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