SPRINGFIELD - The new year in the Illinois Statehouse started out much like 2007 ended - in political gridlock.

Top legislative leaders thumbed their noses at Gov. Rod Blagojevich's call for a special session on mass transit by not even showing up in the Capitol Wednesday.

The governor did make it to town, but watched as nothing again happened to break the legislative stalemate that has paralyzed state government since last summer.

"Not a good sign for '08," said state Rep. Dan Brady, R-Bloomington.

The governor called the special session to once again deal with a looming mass transit crisis in Chicago. Lawmakers have been unable to agree on a funding plan to help stave off fare hikes and service cuts to bus and train service.

Downstate lawmakers are withholding their support for mass transit in hopes of leveraging a statewide construction program that would build roads, bridges and schools in their districts.

But, with no deal on the horizon, just 70 of 118 members of the House showed up Wednesday. The Senate saw just 14 of 59 members on the floor when the session opened and quickly closed.

Many members were unable to attend because of prior family commitments or because they attended Tuesday's University of Illinois football game at the Rose Bowl in California.

"I don't know what today proves," said Senate Majority Leader Debbie Halvorson, D-Crete.

A House committee did discuss a plan that would boost cigarette taxes by 90-cents a pack in order to help the transit systems. But, that proposal has been floating around the Statehouse for months and hasn't gained traction as a viable alternative.

Blagojevich pointed out that Democrats could band together and overcome Republican objections to a mass transit bailout. Because it is a new year, a simply majority is needed to approve legislation.

"That means Democrats in both chambers of the General Assembly should be able to come together and get something done quickly," the governor said in a statement.

But, given the lackluster interest shown by lawmakers Wednesday, it appears unlikely that any action will come before the General Assembly is due back in town again Wednesday.