* This is not fully true…

Although the capital program was approved in 2009, a reappropriation bill was used as the vehicle for adding $430 million in operational funds for education, human services and other budget add-ons. The Senate approved HB 2189, but the House rejected it — leaving ongoing construction projects in limbo.

Rep. Jim Watson, R-Jacksonville, blames Quinn and the Senate Democrats for playing games with the budget.

“The way the budget was crafted in the House, was based on the amount of money that we thought we would have,” Watson said.

When the Senate wanted to boost spending, the capital program was used without identifying new revenue.

As subscribers already know, the Senate did, indeed, provide for $270 million in funding for their programs. And they’ve backed away from $150 million of the $430 million in add-ons. So, the “new spending” actually comes in under the House’s spending limit. I’m really not sure why the proponents of this spending have not bothered to explain their plan, and I’m still wondering why the media hasn’t bothered to figure this out yet. It’s really not all that complicated. All you gotta do is pick up the phone and ask. That’s what I did last week.

* However, the other problem here - and it’s a big one - is that the leaders all agreed two years ago not to mess with the capital plan. An attempt by Gov. Pat Quinn at the time to mix the budget negotiations with the capital bill was roundly shouted down by everyone, including the Senate Democrats. Leader agreements are supposed to be inviolate. Senate President John Cullerton has told me this move wasn’t a violation, but I can’t see how it isn’t. He’s opened the door to further games on the capital plan, and that should not be allowed to happen. So, I can’t disagree with this part of a Pantagraph editorial…

These projects aren’t a pie-in-the-sky proposal to put people to work; they are putting people to work.

An estimated 52,000 people would be out of work if these state-funded projects are shut down. Illinois doesn’t needs that now. […]

Topinka said in a statement, “My message to fellow leaders is simple: Do not play games with capital projects and the jobs they bring to Illinois.”

So let’s see some leadership — from all sides. Resolve these questions before June 17 — and don’t hold the construction program hostage in an attempt to get action on unrelated matters.

* Meanwhile, in other news, ComEd made its case before the Sun-Times editorial board yesterday and outlined how its bill had improved…

†ComEd will go before the Illinois Commerce Commission every year, instead of every two to four years, so that the ICC can review how ComEd is spending the money.

†If the average residential rate increase is more than 2.5 percent by 2014, the entire program, including infrastructure investments and smart-meter installations, is terminated. Critics argue that ComEd will never hit the rate cap because energy-generation prices are dropping, and utility profits will continue to increase regardless of the consumer rates.

†ComEd’s profit margin is set at 10.25 percent rather than the initial requested 10.75 percent. ComEd says the 10.25 percent is less than the 10-year national average.

The Sierra Club, Environment Illinois and the National Resources Defense Council say the changes will create up to 5,000 new jobs in renewable energy by allowing urban rooftop owners to install solar and wind power on their roofs and creating new markets for small renewable energy generators.

The Citizens Utility Board says the bill has improved significantly, but still includes worrisome items such as a rate-hike cap that’s taken away after the first two years.

As usual with big utilities, ComEd introduced legislation that was so out of line that it had no chance of passing. By the time it made its changes, the die had been cast in public and legislative opinion. The company thought the changes would net it big, veto-proof majorities in both chambers. Instead, it managed just minimal majorities, all but inviting a gubernatorial veto.

Gov. Pat Quinn has already publicly brandished his veto stamp, but the Sun-Times wants more changes instead…

If Quinn does reject the bill, which already reflects a good deal of last-minute compromise on ComEd’s part, we urge him to do so with an amendatory veto that resolves the remaining issues in dispute. Protecting ratepayers shouldn’t come at the cost of missing out on a digital-era upgrade that could benefit consumers and businesses by making the entire electrical grid more efficient […]

By the time the Legislature’s fall veto session rolls around, the results of a smart grid pilot project should be in, giving a clearer indication of just how much money such a modernization might save.

By then, perhaps, both sides will have found a way to end the gridlock over the grid.

The Smart Grid is a fantastic idea. I first suggested to company executives seven years ago that they consider updating their technology to provide cable and Internet services. That probably couldn’t pass, either, because the cable and phone companies are way too powerful. That’s really too bad, because they have the biggest pipes of anybody and would bring some much-needed competition to the market. Either way, though, I cannot disagree with their push to upgrade their delivery system, but the top brass should’ve introduced a much better bill to begin with.

* Related and a roundup…

* “Game of chicken” puts local road projects in jeopardy: Though Koehler initially supported linking the capital projects to increased spending for human services and education in the ordinary state budget, he acknowledges that because the House wouldn’t go along it’s now time to drop the gambit. “We played the game of chicken and now we have to blink because we don’t want to see these projects stop or see people thrown out of work,” he said.

* Budget battle puts Brisbin Road project at risk

* Roeder: Dixie Square ruins remain untouched

* Editorial: ComEd smart grid bill isn’t a wise idea right now: In fact, there’s lots of evidence the ComEd plan is not ready for launch and would benefit from the inspection the ICC would give. A May 30 Crain’s Chicago Business report said ComEd’s test of the new technology in the Chicago area “did not connect very well with consumers.”

* Illinois takes slow approach on health exchange

* Letter seeks suspension of new hospital approvals: Three Chicago-area hospitals say a state board should wait to approve any new hospitals until Illinois establishes a Center for Comprehensive Health Planning called for in legislation.

* Area legislators holding meeting on insurance

* ADDED: Heritage Manor employees protest cuts to nursing home payments

* Gov. Quinn Names Gery Chico Head of Illinois State Board of Education

* New law would change rules on teacher tenure

* District claims family lives out of town, sues for $30K in tuition: The Carters say it is frustrating because they pay property taxes — money that underwrites the local school system — on the Oak Park condo they continue to call home. They say they showed district officials the tax paperwork and phone bills to prove they live there. But their children were still shown the door. Property records show Terri Shaw Carter is listed as the owner of the Oak Park residence.

* Felon, fired cop land sweet school jobs in Cicero and Berwyn district