SPRINGFIELD - Gov. Rod Blagojevich announced an end-run on lawmakers Tuesday in an attempt to keep his troubled plan for universal health care alive.

For months, the governor has been unable to convince the General Assembly to back his push to expand health insurance programs.

On Tuesday, as part of a secret budget deal with Senate President Emil Jones, Blagojevich said he would use his veto powers to cut an estimated $500 million from the state's recently approved spending plan in order to finance his own health insurance program.

Critics questioned whether Blagojevich's move is legal under the state constitution.

"It reminds me of a Steven Seagal movie called 'Above the Law,'" said state Sen. Bill Brady, R-Bloomington. "It looks like he's trying to circumvent the constitution."

House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, who has locked horns with Blagojevich as part of the lengthy overtime session, didn't issue a statement Tuesday. But the move is aimed at bringing Madigan back to the negotiating table to secure support for health care and a statewide road and bridge building program.

State Sen. Dave Luechtefeld, R-Okawville, said the governor's announcement was not likely to bring an end to the lengthy overtime session.

"It's a game, and the game isn't over," Luechtefeld said.

Under the Democratic governor's latest proposal, items targeted for cutting include dollars for bridges, fire trucks and police cars that were inserted into the proposed $59 billion budget by lawmakers. Blagojevich says that money is an example of pork-barrel spending that would be better spent on health care.

"I will do what I can, through executive authority, to take care of some of the most pressing needs that were left out of the budget," Blagojevich told a crowd of reporters, lawmakers and lobbyists gathered in the Capitol rotunda.

The governor's latest gambit came as the state entered its 14th day without a budget. The state continues to pay its workers, but it can't pay other bills.

As part of his deal with Jones, the governor did sign a separate budget measure late Monday that contains 9.6 percent pay raises for lawmakers.

The General Assembly was supposed to finish its work by May 31, but disagreements among Blagojevich and his fellow Democrats who control the House and the Senate have kept them in Springfield for a record-setting overtime session.

Blagojevich in March called for a massive increase in spending on health insurance, but lawmakers rejected his proposal as too expensive and less of a priority.

Under his retooled plan, he would extend breast and cervical cancer screening to an estimated 250,000 women without getting legislative approval. He also wants to expand the FamilyCare health insurance program to include families with incomes of up to $80,000 - again, without gaining support from lawmakers.

Blagojevich didn't say whether he would continue to push for a statewide road and bridge construction program. After announcing his health care plans Tuesday, he returned to his office without answering questions.

His staff provided no examples of what he plans on cutting from the proposed budget, but he hinted it could be some of the $153 million in special projects inserted by lawmakers.