When news articles circulate using the phrases "state Legislature" and "Cheap Trick" in the same paragraph, voters should be forgiven for thinking a new tax-and-spend scheme is on the horizon - not that anything emanating from Springfield is ever "cheap."

But it turned out that the stories were about a proposed resolution to honor the Illinois-based band named "Cheap Trick" with its own day, April Fools' Day.

The resolution was sponsored by Sen. Dave Syverson, a Republican from Rockford, the band's home base.

The band's founder, guitarist Rick Nielsen even made an appearance at the Capitol, throwing guitar picks to his "fans" the way the governor likes to throw money to prospective voters or jobs to big campaign contributors.

Considering the extra attention the northeast corner of the state usually gets from the Legislature, it's surprising that another Illinois-born band wasn't recommended for such an honor: Chicago.

Then again, the Chicago Transit Authority (that band's original name) already gets plenty of attention in Springfield - such as a recent request for $100 million from the state.

But, as the governor and Legislature fiddle with such matters as honoring rock bands while the end of the fiscal year rapidly approaches without a budget for the next, it brings to mind some rock songs.

Maybe someone should ask the Legislature, "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?" - as Chicago (the band, not the city) once asked musically.

Perhaps some of the legislation pending in the Capitol is a matter of "Too Much Time on My Hands" - to quote another band with Chicago-area roots, Styx, which recently performed at the U.S. Cellular Coliseum in Bloomington.

As their budget negotiations go nowhere, Gov. Rod Blagojevich, Senate President Emil Jones and House Speaker Mike Madigan, each seem to agree with the Rolling Stones' assessment, "I Can't Get No Satisfaction." The state would be better off if the governor would remember another Rolling Stone's tune, "You Can't Always Get What You Want."

It all leads Illinois taxpayers to turn to the Beatles and cry, "Help!"

Unfortuantely, some politicians were too busy listening to rock musicians to hear that plea from voters.