Update: Senate President Caves; U.S. 30 Work Should Continue

Update: Senate President John Cullerton said Thursday afternoon he will not force the budget issue that threatened to bring state roadwork to a halt, including the Route 30 widening project through Frankfort, according to Crain's Chicago Business.

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Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn says top lawmakers have until Friday to extend the state’s $31 billion construction plan, or road work will come to a halt Monday — including the long-coveted U.S. 30 widening project.

Quinn’s deadline could disappoint Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago) and his fellow Democrats, who wanted to tie $430 million in extra spending to the reauthorization of the multibillion-dollar road, bridge and school building program. Cullerton, who pushed for the extra spending on the last day of the spring session, left a Wednesday meeting with the governor without speaking to reporters.

However, Quinn spokeswoman Mica Mattsoff said the governor wants to address the construction plan immediately — lawmakers can fight about the extra spending in November’s fall veto session.

Illinois Department of Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig said that if lawmakers cannot agree on the construction spending, his office would “start the wheels turning” to stop work across Illinois.

Mattsoff would not say if Quinn supports the Senate Democrat’s budget priorities.

Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno (R-Lemont) has said she wants to spend even less than the House budget, and Democrats should not expect any support to spend more than $33 billion

“It is not reasonable to suspend (the construction program) for a half a billion dollars of unrelated spending,” said Radogno.

Radogno and Cross on Wednesday said they support a vote on the construction program next week, but they had to speak with rank-and-file lawmakers first for their position. Democratic legislative leaders said late Wednesday that they would call lawmakers back for regular session next Wednesday, eliminating the need for a special session order from Quinn.  Each day of special session would cost taxpayers nearly $50,000 if all lawmakers attend.

State Rep. Renee Kosel (R-New Lenox) is dismayed at Quinn's budget tactic.

"It's crazy," Kosel said.

A 9-mile stretch of Route 30 is now being widened to four lanes. Local governments in Frankfort, Mokena and New Lenox earlier this year on the $73 million project, and Kosel believes the construction should continue and be paid out, even if the money is tied up in this legislation. Quinn's threat would also delay the .

Benjamin Yount at Illinois Statehouse News contributed to this report.