SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The Illinois House sent a message to Gov. Rod Blagojevich Tuesday: Stay in Springfield.

Lawmakers adopted a resolution calling on the governor to “reside in Springfield ready to negotiate” during an overtime session on the budget stalemate.

Rep. Sandra Pihos, R-Glen Ellyn, withstood complaints from Democrats that her proposal was a bad joke when Blagojevich and legislative leaders are deadlocked over a spending plan for the budget year that began July 1.

“We want to the governor to know how important he is to these talks and how strongly we need his leadership,” Pihos said.

The resolution, which has no force of law, passed on a voice vote despite complaints by Democrats, who hold a majority.

House Speaker Michael Madigan, who has been at odds with Blagojevich over the size of the state budget, released the resolution for a vote on June 20, the day The Associated Press reported the Democratic governor had been flying round-trip between the capital and his Chicago home almost daily from mid-May through the middle of June.

An AP analysis pegged the round-trip cost to taxpayers at $5,800, based on costs averaged over the past four years and reported earlier in a state audit. Blagojevich’s trips set the state budget back at least $82,000.

At the same time, Blagojevich was telling lawmakers they should be working five days a week to solve the budget crisis. In early July, when the governor started calling lawmakers into daily special sessions, he pledged to stay in Springfield’s Executive Mansion.

Blagojevich was unfazed by the action.

“It seems like there are better ways for the House to spend their time today, more pressing issues facing the state of Illinois,” spokeswoman Rebecca Rausch said.

Democrats – some of whom have been highly critical of Blagojevich during the impasse – said the resolution should cover all governors and suggested it was written so broadly as to suggest the governor can’t leave even when the General Assembly goes home.

“This is a direct hit on one person,” said Rep. Lou Lang, D-Skokie. “We should be demanding of the governor only what we’re demanding of ourselves.”

Blagojevich’s commute outraged bureaucrats and taxpayers as well as lawmakers, who have sponsored other measures in response.

One House bill would ground state planes for the governor and legislative leaders if there’s no budget by May 31, except in emergencies. Another ensures the governor is provided tax forms to calculate benefit derived from personal use of state aircraft.