The longer the impasse over the state's budget continues, the greater the cost will be to the state of Illinois.

That's not just a reference to the cost of the special sessions Gov. Rod Blagojevich has called for today and Thursday - but those expenses are part of it.

The two-day session could wind up costing the state $80,000, according to an analysis by the Associated Press.

That figure includes the $129 to which each lawmaker is entitled for food and lodging and the 50½ cents per mile for which they can be reimbursed for driving from home to Springfield. The mileage reimbursement only applies to one trip per week.

The AP analysis also takes into account expenses for the governor traveling between Chicago and Springfield and for staff members who might need to make the trip.

And if an agreement can't be reached that brings spending and revenue in line - thereby requiring more special sessions - the costs will go up.

Perhaps even the high side of $80,000 isn't a major factor in a budget of $59 billion - but perceptions count for plenty in politics, as they should in most cases.

Taxpayers have a right to think elected officials don't value their tax dollars if they spend them on unnecessary expenses - such as special sessions to finish work that should have been completed in the regular session.

But the special session expenses are only part of the cost of the budget impasse.

The uncertainty resulting from the impasse could affect people's spending habits and make businesses more reluctant to locate or expand in the state. Those costs are difficult to measure.

But there are other costs, too.

If an agreement isn't reached quickly, some state employees could miss paychecks. Reimbursement for services rendered or goods delivered after July 1 could be delayed - adding to the difficulties many state contractors face because of the state's already slow reimbursement procedures, particularly for health-care and nursing-home service providers.

Some states facing similar budget stalemates have shut down non-essential services - even highway rest areas.

Although there has been no serious talk of a government shutdown in Illinois, that could be a possibility if the problem drags on.

Blagojevich could use his amendatory veto power to reduce spending authorized by the budget. In fact, he has threatened to make deep cuts - although exactly what those cuts will be seems to change from day to day.

As least if the governor exercises his amendatory veto power, the state wouldn't grind to a halt; paychecks could still go out and the Legislature could address the matter in the fall veto session.

But it would be preferable for the matter to be resolved with certainty in the next two days, through a coming together of both political parties and the warring factions within the Democratic Party. Then, the $80,000 or less spent on the special session could be worth it.