Recent news articles about the state of Illinois have looked more like the Sunday comics than regional headlines. Springfield has resembled the UFC Octagon more than Capitol Hill with lawmakers and the governor throwing verbal punches back and forth, putting the process into a seemingly inescapable Jujitsu hold which, in a few weeks, could leave our state without a budget. This would not be an unexpected result as the governor has routinely refused to tap out, leaving taxpaying spectators to watch a bitter, boring match on the House Floor. Illinois taxpayers have grown accustomed to June bringing warm weather and budget squabbles.

This year’s process brings few differences from past efforts. In typical fashion, the governor has introduced new plans that he can’t fund without breaking his campaign promise of not raising taxes. So, remaining true to his word, the governor instead attacks businesses with taxes disguised as fees and closures of corporate tax “loopholes” and supplements funding proposals with disagreed upon initiatives like this year’s gambling expansion.

Governor Blagojevich sees casino expansion as the solution to his self-created funding failures. The governor’s proposed expansion included a casino in Chicago. I can see that one working out well. A city that can’t fairly and honestly conduct elections probably has a good chance of responsibly administrating a casino. Fortunately, it looks like a Chicago casino proposal won’t make it out of the gaming committee.

Maybe “Hot Rod” just wanted a few slots near his house so he wouldn’t have to venture outside of the city for anything. He’s already afraid to leave his Chicago house and office (except for long, afternoon jogs) for fear that the press might drill him on ethics violations accusations. It makes for good government when our governor won’t talk about his proposals because he’s afraid talk will turn to his hiring practices. This really speeds up the budget process.

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have been vocal in their opposition to the governor’s budget proposal. Fortunately for House Republicans, the delayed budget squabbling has given them an increased say in the budget process. Because the May 31 budget deadline has passed, no agreed upon budget can pass without a three-fifths majority.

This means that five House Republicans must cross the political aisle and agree to a new budget. This ensures that whether the budget is the governor’s, Democrats’ (Speaker Mike Madigan and President Emil Jones have proposed their own solutions) or an alternative, it will only pass with concessions. Concessions generally speak well for taxpayers.

I predict a budget with new revenue sources passes, the budget makes concessions for spending arrangements, and the governor finds a way to bypass the agreed upon arrangements, leaving us with yet another budget fiasco next summer. Lawmakers are used to extended budget sessions and spending more administrative money to meet the governor’s ridiculous demands.

Next summer will be spent in the same habitual fashion for Illinois lawmakers. We’ll be “knee deep in June” and neck deep in a budget fiasco.

Only a change in the governor’s mansion will bring much-needed economic stability.