CHICAGO - The state's top lawmakers and Gov. Rod Blagojevich met Monday to discuss an expansion plan that would pay for a statewide construction program and pave the way for a mass-transit bailout, but one key lawmaker missed the meeting.

Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan skipped the discussion at Blagojevich's office with the other top legislative leaders, although the state's two Republican leaders met afterward with him.

Senate President Emil Jones, a Blagojevich ally, said it was counterproductive for Madigan to miss the meeting aimed at trying to resolve a logjam that has left transit riders facing threatened service cuts and fare increases.

"He should have been here today," Jones, a Democrat, said of Madigan.

The speaker had a prior commitment, Madigan spokesman Steve Brown said.

Many lawmakers have made it clear they won't approve mass transit aid to help Chicago-area commuters until a deal is reached on a capital program to build roads, bridges and schools around the state. Two short-term bailouts from Blagojevich have propped up the Chicago Transit Authority and its suburban counterparts but that money runs out in January.

Jones and Blagojevich have had stormy relations with Madigan throughout a protracted legislative session and Republican House leader Tom Cross has had to serve as peacemaker, something he did again on Monday.

After meeting with Blagojevich and Jones, Cross and Republican Senate leader Frank Watson headed out to confer with Madigan.

"We're just gonna go to Madigan's office and try to continue negotiations to get more done," Watson said.

The plan was for legislative leaders to meet again on Tuesday and then head back to Springfield next week to vote on capital and transit bills, said Blagojevich spokeswoman Abby Ottenhoff.