* The Daily Herald interviewed Secretary of State Jesse White and he provided this little insight into his legislative strategy…

“Last year, all of the constitutional officers critical of the governor’s budget approach … each one of them received a 3 percent decrease in their budget,” White said in an interview with the Daily Herald. “I didn’t say a word and I got a 3 percent increase. I think you know the rest of the story.”

But after the DH called the governor’s office for comment, a White spokesman got back to the paper with a clarification…

“His intent was not to single out any one person. He was trying to convey that everyone needs to work together,” said White spokesman Henry Haupt.

Part of the idea behind staying mum is not talking about staying mum, especially with somebody as vindictive as Blagojevich. More Q&A with White is here.

* Meanwhile…

Illinois’ entire congressional delegation joined the pleas Monday urging the governor and state lawmakers to end months of acrimony and pass a capital spending bill. […]

“With each passing month, it becomes more apparent that our constituents want — and deserve — a new capital bill that addresses our state’s extensive infrastructure needs,” the letter reads. “Whether driving over multiple potholes or waiting for a late train or bus, Illinois residents are voicing their dissatisfaction with the status quo.

That status quo is gonna be the status quo for a while longer, I think.

* And the governor is apparently starving some tax-eaters in order to put pressure on the General Assembly to pass a budget sooner rather than later…

llinois government’s ongoing political showdown has held up millions of dollars that were supposed to go to local soil and water conservation districts this year, threatening a crucial resource for farmers and rural communities across the state. […]

[The Blagojevich administration claims] the Legislature overestimated the state’s likely income when it approved the current budget last year, leaving a $750 million gap between expenses outlined in the budget and money the state actually has on hand to spend.

The administration maintains it has no choice but to suspend payments for nonessential services, while it presses the Legislature to approve Blagojevich’s call for cracking down on business tax breaks or finding some other revenue source.

The more pain, the more pressure.

* And stuff like this will stir up the pot but good…

Six weeks after first hinting that some park fees could rise to fill a growing budget hole, the administration Monday released a tentative list of the fees they want to see go up.

Among them:

Campers would pay $5 more per day for electric hookups.

Campers would pay $10 more per day for sites on holiday weekends.

Out-of-state hunters would pay more for archery and firearm licenses.

In all, the proposed series of fee hikes could help generate millions of dollars to help close a budget gap of more than $750 million.

* More budget stuff, compiled by Kevin…

* Towns fear they won’t be able to keep up with pensions

* Capital Development Board delays release of look at state fairgrounds buildings

* Kane opposes state tax payment proposal

* Poe, Brauer seek input for potential capital bill

* Editorial: Paying the bills