* From the SJ-R…

Gov. Rod Blagojevich is to deliver the keynote address at Illinois’ 27th annual Holocaust Memorial Observance, to be held at 11 a.m. today at the Old Capitol State Historic Site.

From what I was told last night, the governor is planning to skip this event. Apparently, he had other plans. I’m not sure what those plans are, and I wasn’t told, but I’m sure there will be some disappointed reporters this morning.

* The governor was in Chicago yesterday for a big press conference with African-American ministers designed to unveil a $150 million “anti-violence” plan. The proposal relies on funding from the capital plan, which is nowhere near an agreement. So, the guv’s splashy rally got mixed reviews, to say the least…

DALEY: You need the money. You need the beef. That’s the whole story.

* Hizzoner probably didn’t appreciate the tone of the event….

Flanking Blagojevich at the rally, state Sen. Rickey Hendon (D-Chicago) said enough research has been done. “We don’t need no damn research,” Hendon shouted, drawing thunderous applause. “We know what our children need: They need jobs and opportunity.”

Playing to the crowd, Blagojevich said, “We don’t need studies from the University of Chicago or Ivy League schools like Harvard telling us that between certain hours there’s more violence with kids.”

Daley wants some research by the University of Chicago on why the city’s violence has so drastically increased.

* And then there was this…

At Tuesday’s rally, a boisterous Democratic state Sen. Rickey Hendon urged people to rally legislative support for Blagojevich’s plan by calling House Speaker Michael Madigan, Blagojevich’s nemesis.

“Tell Mike Madigan, tell Mike Madigan we need this money,” Hendon roared.

* The governor was interviewed by CBS 2 and demonstrated, again, why his rhetoric doesn’t match reality…

Blagojevich pointed out that State Senate President Emil Jones (D-Chicago) is already backing the capital plan that would fund the anti-violence initiative, and said he believes he can get House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) behind it also

Except that Jones now wants to fund the capital bill with an income tax hike, something that Blagojevich flat-out rejects. So, the two men are not together on the capital bill yet.

* And this was pretty telling…

[Blagojevich] disagreed with a frequent characterization that he and Madigan do not get along.

“We’d like him, and others in the General Assembly, to look at the epidemic that’s occurring today in Chicago. Twenty-four school kids, since the beginning of the year, have been gunned down. A 3-year-old boy in the Auburn-Gresham neighborhood was playing in front of his home and was caught in front of the crossfire. Now he’s fighting for his life; he was shot in the neck. How can you possibly – those of us who make the rules – simply not do anything?” Blagojevich said.

“I will prevail upon Speaker Madigan and the House Democrats and others, to recognize that this is a crisis”

“Sure, we get along, but if Madigan does nothing to support my specific program then he’s ignoring the problem.”

* And, finally…

But the governor also was criticized after Tuesday’s announcement for cutting money last year to CeaseFire, a popular anti-violence program. The state auditor general had knocked how CeaseFire handled some of the state funding it received.

“He always likes it if it’s about a new program he’s created. But if there’s a program that’s been working and it shows results, he cuts it. It’s a narcissistic, egomaniacal way of governing, which just doesn’t work. It just doesn’t work at all,'’ said Rep. Jack Franks, D-Woodstock.

If the shoe fits…

…Adding… I forgot to include Bethany’s piece on the countdown to another overtime session…

History could be telling. David Dring, spokesperson for House Minority Leader Tom Cross, says the budget process mirrors last year’s, when each chamber passed a competing budget and a stalemate ensued. Lawmakers were called to Springfield at least once in all 12 months last year. This session, there haven’t been leaders’ meetings on the budget, yet. Leaders have met three times to discuss a statewide capital plan, although there’s little progress to report.

Dring added that he still thinks a May turnaround is possible if the political will is there. “A lot can happen in three weeks around here if people work together.”

A lot can not happen, too.

* Related…

* Suburban schools benefit from lawmakers’ lapse

* Lawmakers brainstorm on construction funds

* State budget cuts would hit colleges

* Legislative pay raises again debated in Illinois