Passing a budget in an election year, part 1

You can't always get what you want,
But if you threaten to run against the governor,
You'll get what you need ...

From the Tuesday Chicago Tribune:

State Sen. James Meeks on Tuesday still wouldn't say if he plans to launch a third-party bid for governor. ... The talk of a run has prompted speculation that Meeks is using it as a way to leverage concessions from Blagojevich, who could lose black voters to Meeks. ... Meeks said he has asked Gov. Rod Blagojevich for two things: a four-year comprehensive plan for school funding and a plan for how underserved communities are going to be served. "I have not received either of those plans, and that is why I'm moving forward to do what I said I would do," Meeks said. ... "If I get the four-year comprehensive plan and it is adequately going to fund education and kids are going to adequately be taken care of then I'm sure I'll be satisfied," Meeks said.

From the Wednesday Chicago Tribune:

Democrats in the Illinois House approved a $56 billion state budget Wednesday that emphasizes education and public safety ... The budget includes money to expand preschool programs, offer more grants to college students and increase general education spending, though not as much as experts and many lawmakers want. ... It also would allow for about 250 additional prison guards, specialized treatment for inmates addicted to methamphetamine, new state police cars and improvements in testing DNA evidence. ... Education spending would increase by about $430 million, with more than $100 million going to Chicago's financially struggling schools.

Wonder if Meeks is satisfied ...

Now then, how about another threat to run for governor, this time from another constituency?

But Hispanic senators refused to support the budget, leaving Democrats without enough votes to pass it in the upper chamber. After hours of delay Wednesday night, the Senate adjourned until Thursday. ... Sen. Martin Sandoval, D-Chicago, said the budget should include money to build new schools. He said Gov. Rod Blagojevich has not worked with Hispanic lawmakers to make sure their concerns are met. ... "There have been no discussions with the governor. The governor has not reached out to us," Sandoval said, adding that an agreement can be reached before the budget deadline of May 31.