SPRINGFIELD - Republicans aren't alone in questioning Gov. Rod Blagojevich's proposal to sell or lease the state lottery.

In a two-page letter distributed to Democratic lawmakers Tuesday, House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, called for answers to more than a dozen questions he has about the initiative, which would raise $10 billion for schools.

"The governor's multi-faceted, far-reaching plan would have profound long-term consequences for state finances and schools," Madigan wrote.

Madigan's call for scrutiny of the proposal is important because the speaker controls much of what gets voted on in the Illinois House.

While Madigan said the governor's plan deserves "serious consideration," he said questions must be answered on a number of fronts, including how the governor determined the lottery was worth $10 billion.

That is the same question being asked by GOP officials, who are complaining that the administration will not release information to back up that claim.

A spokeswoman for the governor's budget office says there is no formal report outlining how that number was arrived at in the week preceding the governor's unveiling of the proposal.

Under the governor's plan, $4 billion of the proceeds of the sale would be spent in the first four years to drive up education spending across the state. The remainder would be invested in order to guarantee $650 million in new money for schools for the next 19 years.

In his letter, Madigan asks how school districts will cope when the influx of cash comes to an end in four years. And, he said, what happens in 2025 when the $650 million-per-year annuity runs out?

"We must consider our obligations not only to those who need help today, but also that we keep the state on a sound financial footing so that we can meet our responsibility to those who will need help tomorrow," Madigan wrote.

Blagojevich spokeswoman Rebecca Rausch said the governor expects his plan will be thoroughly reviewed.

"Speaker Madigan raises some thoughtful questions," she said.

Rank-and-file lawmakers praised the speaker's request for more answers.

State Rep. Bob Flider, D-Mt. Zion, said he needs to know how schools outside of Chicago will fare under the proposal. And, he said he's concerned that privatizing the lottery could lead to an expansion of gambling.

"That makes me queasy," Flider said.

The governor has asked that his plan be debated during the fall veto session, which is slated to begin after the November general election.