SPRINGFIELD - Democrats negotiating the state's next budget say they've basically come up with an agreement on spending ahead of a Saturday deadline.

But the big question that remains is whether it's in balance.

State Rep. Gary Hannig, D- Gillespie, and state Sen. Donne Trotter, D-Chicago, say they've resolved all but small differences on spending for education and human services. Schools would get an increase of more than $500 million, and the entire budget would grow by more than $2 billion.

That extra spending could be paid for by borrowing to pay down pension debt, sweeping state funds, selling an unused riverboat casino license or leasing the state Lottery.

Trotter says if those revenue measures don't pass, an out-of-whack budget could be sent to Governor Rod Blagojevich for possible big cuts.

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