Politics

CHICAGO (AP) ― A feisty Gov. Rod Blagojevich lashed out Wednesday at lawmakers he accuses of stonewalling his statewide construction program and even took a swipe at Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, imploring the powerful politician not to side with the "oppressor."

Blagojevich said it's time Daley pitches in and comes off the sidelines amid a well-publicized feud between the governor and Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan, who Blagojevich accuses of being the road block to a deal.

"He has to stop saying he doesn't want to get involved between Madigan and me," Blagojevich told reporters at a Chicago event.

Besides challenging Daley, Blagojevich also may have increased friction with lawmakers by announcing his first rewrite of what could turn out to be dozens of bills, an action that could wind up killing a health care measure for college students.

As for the capital plan, Blagojevich said he would try to talk to Daley about getting his help when the mayor returns next week from the Beijing Olympics. Chicago stands to gain with a capital plan because money to fix infrastructure would strengthen the city's own Olympic bid, Blagojevich said.

The governor, besides his tussling with Madigan, recently rankled Daley when he suggested Chicago Police could use the help of state troopers and even the National Guard to control crime in the city. Chicago is in the international spotlight as it bids for the 2016 Summer Olympics.

A Daley spokesman did not immediately comment Wednesday.

If the two meet, Blagojevich said he would remind Daley of something South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu once said.

"He said that when you are neutral in a situation of injustice then you have sided with the oppressor," Blagojevich said.

Madigan and Blagojevich have been at odds for months over how to do a capital construction plan for roads, bridges, schools and much more. Madigan won't attend meetings with Blagojevich, and the governor lambastes Madigan every chance he gets.

He didn't miss the opportunity Wednesday.

Blagojevich accused Madigan and the House Democrats loyal to him of playing politics with the excuses they offer for rejecting his capital plan.

"That's what is so frustrating and so, and so, disappointing -- that you would screw with the lives of people because you have your own political agenda," Blagojevich said.

Madigan spokesman Steve Brown did not immediately return a call for comment Wednesday.

Blagojevich's latest outburst isn't likely to soothe any hard feelings as lawmakers head back to Springfield next week to deal with the governor's capital plan and talk about education funding.

Blagojevich has tried to make his capital program more palatable by lowering the price tag -- $25 billion instead of $34 billion -- and removing gambling expansion as a major source of revenue for it.

Lawmakers had complained about fatal flaws in the gambling expansion measure, which would have authorized three new casinos, including one in downtown Chicago, but under terms Daley didn't like.

But it still relies on a partial lease of the state lottery, something a Madigan surrogate has said will be a hard sell.

The two-day special session set for Aug. 12-13 coincides with the state fair. Blagojevich isn't concerned it will interfere with the political speechmaking, rallies and other festivities lawmakers might want to avail themselves of at the fair.

"Am I wrong in saying that our lawmakers ought to go down to work and while they're at work they have a chance to have a lemon shakeup or a corn dog?" Blagojevich said.

Lawmakers are going back to work amid a campaign by Blagojevich to rewrite bills sent to him that he says he can make better.

He kicked it off Wednesday by using his amendatory veto to suggest changes legislators could adopt so parents would have the option of keeping dependent children on their health plan until they turn 26 or until they are 30 if those dependent children are veterans.

The governor's office says more than 300,000 Illinoisans between the ages of 19 and 25 are uninsured.

Blagojevich said he has identified more than 50 bills he can rewrite to strengthen them. One state senator has accused him of playing king. Democratic Rep. Charles E. Jefferson, a House sponsor of the bill Blagojevich revised, said the governor's actions show "a lack of respect."

(© 2010 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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