SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois House could begin voting as early as Wednesday on the outlines of a bare-bones state budget.

With eight days left in the scheduled legislative session, more than 490 budget-related bills are scheduled to be dealt with in House committees beginning Tuesday, setting the stage for debate in the full House by the middle of the week.

"We're really trying to pull it all together," said state Rep. Gary Hannig, D-Litchfield, who is a chief budget negotiator for House Speaker Michael Madigan.

The move by the House signals Gov. Rod Blagojevich's proposed budget has been all but abandoned. His spending plan has gained little traction since he introduced it in February.

Hannig offered few details about the proposal Monday, but said lawmakers will be given the opportunity to vote on a no-growth budget plan that essentially keeps state government operating when the new fiscal year kicks in July 1.

In a new twist, Hannig said lawmakers also will be then given the option of boosting spending on various programs. For example, lawmakers could vote to add up to $600 million in new funding for schools.

"Members will have the opportunity to find their comfort level," Hannig said.

Observers say the latest plan will not include a statewide construction program. A discussion on that issue will likely not take place again until after the November election when raising taxes or fees may not be as controversial for lawmakers.

Action in the House, however, may be nothing more than a political maneuver.

Traditionally, legislative leaders have met behind closed doors with the governor to hammer out a budget plan. That wasn't the case last year when the General Assembly set a record for overtime, nor has it been the case this year.

While the House pushes its version of the budget, the Democrat-controlled Senate also is expected to begin working on its own spending plan later this week.

Republicans in the House haven't gotten a peek at Madigan's budget plan.

"In the spirit of non-communication, they have not shared that with us," said David Dring, spokesman for House Minority Leader Tom Cross, R-Oswego.

The dynamics of the political stalemate will change in the coming two weeks. After May 31, Republican votes will be needed in the House to get a budget put together.

Hannig said Democrats in both the House and Senate hope to finish the legislative session by May 31.

Despite the disjointed status of budget talks, Blagojevich spokeswoman Kelley Quinn said the governor's office continues to meet with lawmakers.

"We're still talking. It's not like there's no communication," Quinn said.