SPRINGFIELD, ILL. (AP) -- The General Assembly is expected to take up an amended mass transit funding bill that includes Governor Rod Blagojevich's proposal to offer free rides to senior citizens.

Thursday's likely vote follows approval of the measure on Wednesday by a key state legislative committee.

The House Mass Transit Committee voted 16-5 to support the free ride amendment that the governor added to the mass transit funding bill.

Blagojevich says he won't sign that bill if legislators don't approve the free ride initiative.

Some lawmakers say they're angry at the last-minute addition.

But committee members say they had no choice but to support it or risk forcing "doomsday" service cuts and fare increases this weekend.

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