SPRINGFIELD - Democrats in the Illinois House approved a state budget late Wednesday largely devoid of new bells and whistles, and especially devoid of Republican support.

With little support in the chamber for the large tax hikes or gambling expansion backed by Gov. Rod Blagojevich and Senate President Emil Jones, House Democrats said their estimated $58 billion budget proposal would nonetheless provide more money for schools and health care.

"It will help us meet our responsibilities," said House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie, D-Chicago. The measure was approved on a 63-53 partisan roll call.

The move by the House came as a Senate panel approved a plan to add four new Chicago-area casinos in a bid to generate billions of new dollars in revenue for schools, health care and bricks and mortar projects.

Senate Minority Leader Frank Watson, R-Greenville, and Republican state Sens. Dale Righter of Mattoon and Brad Burzynski of Clare were among members of the Senate Executive Committee voting against the gambling plan, which was sent to the Senate floor on an 8-5 vote.

In the end, however, the last-minute flurry of action by the House and Senate may serve as little more than bargaining chips in future budget negotiations as the legislative session heads toward a today's midnight deadline.

Until then, legislation in both the Democrat-controlled House and Senate needs a simple majority to pass. After May 31, bills need a three-fifths majority to be OK'd, which will allow Republicans to have a place at the negotiating table.

"We seem to have caught ourselves in a pretty good trap here. And right now, I don't see a way out," said state Rep. Marlow Colvin, D-Chicago.

The proposed House budget would raise $300 million in new revenue by ending corporate tax breaks and streamlining the state's sales tax collection process. That part of the proposal, contained in Senate Bill 1544, also was approved on a 63-53 vote.

That new money, combined with an estimated $500 million in extra funds from natural revenue growth, would generate $400 million in additional cash for schools and offer public universities a 2 percent boost over what they are now receiving from the state.

"This pretty much keeps everything at last year's level with a slight increase," said state Rep. Frank Mautino, D-Spring Valley.

No funds for expanded health

The plan wouldn't give Blagojevich money for his coveted expansion of health care. And, it is not clear whether the Senate will take up the House budget proposal.

Blagojevich spokeswoman Rebecca Rausch would not speculate on the possibility of the governor calling lawmakers back to town for a special session if he is not satisfied with the budget plan.

Tough sell

Key budget negotiators said the slimmed-down budget proposal was a tough sell to Democratic lawmakers.

"Certainly its difficult when you have a room full of Democrats who like to spend a lot of money on a lot of things to try to settle on a little money on a little number of things," said state Rep. Gary Hannig, D-Litchfield.

Republicans, meanwhile, are waiting for today's deadline to pass, allowing them to become players in the negotiations.

GOP lawmakers are opposed to adding new casinos, but want to allow existing casinos to expand. The money would be used to finance a statewide construction program.

At the same time, Republicans want a commitment from the governor's office that projects in their districts will be funded if they sign on to any budget plan.