SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Illinois leaders seemed farther apart than ever Wednesday after another round of negotiations on the overdue state budget.

House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, repeatedly spoke up for a version of the budget that even he admits isn’t balanced.

Meanwhile, Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich accused Madigan of “creating unnecessary gridlock” by linking the budget to overhauling the way Illinois regulates the electric industry.

A new state budget was supposed to have been passed by May 31, but Democratic leaders failed to agree on a new spending plan.

Blagojevich ended up backing a $5 billion plan to increase education and health care funding through gambling expansion and business taxes. Madigan said House Democrats wouldn’t go along, and the House passed a largely flat budget that would give schools a modest increase through natural revenue growth and a small casino expansion.

New rules kicked in once the legislative session went past its adjournment deadline. Now passing a budget requires a three-fifths vote, rather than a simple majority _ giving the Republican minority a bigger say in the outcome.

After Wednesday’s two-hour negotiating session, Madigan stood by the House budget proposal.

“I would repeat what I said about 10 times in the meeting: The House has passed a budget,” he said. “I think it represents the high-water mark in the House for spending for the next budget year.”

But he acknowledged it doesn’t include enough money to cover all the state’s costs. By some estimates, the House budget would be $1 billion short.

Blagojevich released a letter in which he criticized Madigan’s response to soaring electric rates. Madigan has proposed a sweeping overhaul of the regulatory system as part of a plan to roll back rates, and he says lawmakers won’t pass a budget until the rate issue is put to bed.

The governor said Madigan’s plan is too complicated and should be put aside for a relief plan that can be passed more quickly.

Blagojevich, known for his infrequent appearances at the state Capitol, is urging lawmakers to meet five days a week, rather than the customary three days.

Senate Minority Leader Frank Watson, R-Greenville, took issue with that: “I said to the governor, ‘You know what? We’ve been working a heck of a lot longer down here than you’ve been. We’re here many days you are not, so don’t give us that kind of rhetoric.'”