Ill. governor still pushing for capital program

CHICAGO -- Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich is still pushing for lawmakers to pass his massive statewide construction program to rebuild roads, bridges, schools and more.

Blagojevich again touted the $34 billion program at an unrelated Chicago news conference Sunday.

The capital program stalled again last week when the House rejected the gambling expansion that would have provided the major source of money to pay for it.

The House is due back in session later this week for the chance to try to override $1.4 billion in cuts Blagojevich made last week to balance the budget. The Senate has no plans to return to Springfield.

House Speaker Michael Madigan has dangled hope that a construction program could still happen, but he has said raising money by expanding gambling is a "dead issue."