SPRINGFIELD - Maybe top Illinois officials are watching too much television. They're in the middle of a budget mess that manages to combine both the reruns and the reality shows that dominate the summer schedule. Call it "Project Gridlock'' or "The Surreal World.''

Just like last year, Gov. Rod Blagojevich and legislators are blaming each other for the bitter impasse. Once again, they're refusing to work together and insulting one another, this time with words like "madman'' and "impeachment'' and "tax increase.''

Their dispute carries enormous significance for real people.

If an agreement can't be reached on the budget soon, state employees could stop getting their paychecks. Blagojevich might make deep spending cuts that would mean less money for schools, state parks, prisons and more.

The state would go another year without major upgrades to roads and bridges.

Blagojevich has called legislators to the Capitol for a special session next week, hoping that they'll suddenly support his budget proposals. But there's no evidence a breakthrough is near - just more arguing.

The undisputed stars of this show are Blagojevich and House Speaker Michael Madigan.

Blagojevich has accused Madigan, head of the Illinois Democratic Party, of betraying the party's principles and acting like a conservative Republican. He says Madigan is intent on creating a "house of pain'' for Illinoisans by raising taxes after the election.

Madigan responds that the governor's word cannot be trusted. He has encouraged talk of impeachment by legislative candidates. His spokesman calls Blagojevich a madman and a sociopath.

Last year, their bickering contributed to an impasse that lasted for months and produced a budget that was shaky at best.

This year, the Democratic governor and his main ally, Senate President Emil Jones, pushed for a long list of new revenues measures. They included a massive gambling expansion, privatizing the state lottery, diverting money from special funds and cutting pension costs through a complicated borrowing plan.

Republican leaders backed some of these ideas and rejected others. Madigan rejected them all.

In the end, legislators approved the spending side of a new state budget but not the necessary revenue. Blagojevich says that leaves a $2 billion deficit.

Blagojevich is threatening massive cuts unless legislators approve the revenue measure he supports. He's sending mixed messages, however.

The governor has dropped his call for a complicated plan to borrow money to reduce the state's pension debt. Blagojevich said Thursday he's convinced the idea doesn't have enough support to pass.

Blagojevich has also backed away from some of his threatened budget cuts. Amtrak, rape crisis centers, 4-H - after supporters complained, Blagojevich reversed course and said he would spare those programs from any cuts.

It will be hard for Blagojevich to argue that legislators should grit their teeth and cast difficult votes when he's dropping other pieces of his budget proposal.

Republicans are siding with Blagojevich on some issues, particularly the proposal for a massive statewide construction program. They're not interested in other parts of his budget, however, which presents a major problem for Blagojevich. Nothing can pass the House without GOP support.

Mostly, Republicans are happy to watch the Democrats pound each other senseless.

Blagojevich wants the special session to focus on Madigan and the House's inaction on several revenue measures. In announcing the session, Blagojevich spent most of his time criticizing the speaker and warning that if House Democrats win more seats in November, Madigan will attempt to raise income taxes.

But the session also gives his opponents a showcase to criticize the governor.

Madigan has announced plans for the entire House to meet as a "committee of the whole'' and discuss the governor's budget proposals. In the past, such events have turned into all-day assaults on the administration's proposals.

And one of Blagojevich's most vocal critics, Democratic Rep. Jack Franks of Woodstock, has called on Madigan to convene hearings on whether to impeach the governor. Watch for others to take up that call, hoping to embarrass Blagojevich.

Even if nothing official happens on impeachment, no one on either side of the dispute shows any interest in repairing the deep rifts among state leaders.

This is one show that's not in danger of being canceled.