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Blagojevich devising solutions for mass transit funding
By Deanna Bellandi
Associated Press
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CHICAGO — Gov. Rod Blagojevich says he’s working on a plan to find money for cash-strapped mass transit agencies, but he was cagey about the details on Tuesday as deadlines loomed for massive service cuts and fare increases.

Blagojevich declined to reveal details or say when they’d be made public, but he said there had been talks with the two Republican legislative leaders and Democratic Senate President Emil Jones.

“We have an idea and a plan that we want to announce collectively and together that would provide a long-term solution’’ for the CTA and the Regional Transportation Authority that would not be “another tax increase on people,’’ Blagojevich said during an unrelated news conference.

But David Dring, a spokesman for House Republican leader Tom Cross, said there was “not a set concrete plan.’’ And Patty Schuh, a spokeswoman for Senate Republican leader Frank Watson, said there have been discussions with the governor but “none of those have produced a plan.’’

A Senate-passed bill would expand gambling, including a Chicago casino, to pay for mass transit and a $13 billion state construction program, but Blagojevich wouldn’t say if that’s tied to what he said he was working on.

“Stay tuned,’’ Blagojevich said, adding that the plan would be announced in the “very not too distant future.’’ He did say he hoped his idea would be a sustainable source of revenue dedicated to CTA and RTA operations.

Blagojevich also made one thing clear: Any plan is still tenuous because Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan hasn’t been in on the discussions.

Blagojevich and Madigan have had strained relations all year and the tension between them has escalated as a protracted legislative session drags on without resolution on key issues, including mass-transit funding, because the Democrats who control Springfield can’t agree on how to come up with money.

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Reader comments on this story - 10 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

Split the State wrote on Oct 25, 2007 1:36 PM:

" Why doesn't Illinois split into two different states. Northern Illinois and the rest of Illinois are very differnt and don't really belong together. The State should be split somewhere around I-80. "

Hey, Josh: wrote on Oct 24, 2007 2:59 PM:

" Chicago could slide into Lake Michigan and I wouldn't care one iota about it. As for doing something for this state, I live in it (taxes), I buy things in it (taxes), I worked for it (more taxes). "

Milorad wrote on Oct 24, 2007 2:50 PM:

" I suspect Peoria and BN are plauged with Demoncat infestations too. Peoria because of the minorty population wanting a handout. BN because of all the liberal teachers. "

Voice of Reason wrote on Oct 24, 2007 1:58 PM:

" I'm sure our governor will come up with a fair, intelligent way to fund mass transit. And yes, I was able to type this with a straight face. Kudos to me! Hee Haw! "

Blago wrote on Oct 24, 2007 1:44 PM:

" Pay no attenion to the man with his hand in your pocket! "

BN Democrat wrote on Oct 24, 2007 1:43 PM:

" It does not matter how he finances it. You should be grateful to your Democrat Governor. "

josh wrote on Oct 24, 2007 12:13 PM:

" you guys are mad because this state wouldnt mean $#!% without chicago what have you done for this state? "

Dead Eye Dick wrote on Oct 24, 2007 11:28 AM:

" Raise the tobacco tax. The smokers haven't been hammered in the last couple of weeks. "

BN Tractor Driver wrote on Oct 24, 2007 9:11 AM:

" Yeah, Raise, I'm with you. If it weren't for us tractor drivers and Ethanol farmers, Chicago would be flat broke. I'm sick and tired of subsidizing all those big, liberal suburbs and the Democrat infested city! Our taxes would be absolutely nothing and Unit 5 wouldn't need a referendum if it weren't for Chicago and without all those concert and sport venues, the Colliseum would be booming! Heck, we'd need two! Its time to cut off Chicago! "

Raise wrote on Oct 23, 2007 11:32 PM:

" fares and keep Chicago's problem in Chicago and out of our pockets!!! "
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