Blagojevich signs budget measure

Posted: 08.14.2007 at 10:41 AM

Illlinois governor Rod Blagojevich still hasn't approved the budget on his desk, but has approved a few budget measures. / Courtesy of AP GraphicsBank

SPRINGFIELD, ILL. (AP) -- Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich hasn't yet given any clues about when he'll approve a new state budget now on his desk.

But he did sign a different budget measure Monday, a supplemental appropriation with money for raises for state officials, for the families of slain soldiers and hospitals that treat the poor.

Lawmakers approved the bill two months ago and Blagojevich signed it late Monday night without any public comment.

Blagojevich could have used his amendatory veto power to remove legislative pay raises as a way to punish lawmakers who have rejected his budget proposals. But that might have angered his remaining allies in the General Assembly.

Blagojevich has criticized the state budget as technically flawed, loaded with pork and silent on road improvements and health care.