Top Illinois Democrats offered a sweet dollop of hope mixed with a pungent dose of reality this week.

In Denver, where party leaders were meeting for the Democratic National Convention, there was a hugfest among the Illinois delegation.

It included an on-stage embrace by Gov. Rod Blagojevich and House Speaker Michael Madigan.

As you know, the two Chicagoans have been at war for more than a year, resulting in a bitter stalemate over the state budget.

Many thought their somewhat awkward clasp in the Mile High City might signal a warming trend.

Yet, a day later, Blagojevich unleashed a torrent of budgetary pain, calling for the canning of hundreds of state workers and the closure of two dozen state parks and historic sites as retribution against the speaker for not giving him what he wants.

The fallout of the budget impasse was felt in other areas of state government.

Illinois Comptroller Dan Hynes announced Wednesday that about 80 of his nonunion employees will have to take five unpaid days off in the coming fiscal year in order to help offset a $1 million budget cut imposed by Blagojevich.

Additional employees could be laid off next month.

"Given the current budget, we're really left with no other choice," said spokeswoman Carol Knowles.

It doesn't stop there.

Secretary of State Jesse White has imposed a freeze on hiring and overtime and is negotiating with union representatives on issues such as furloughs and layoffs. White has not ruled out closing driver's license facilities as a way to cope with the governor's reductions.

At the state treasurer's office, layoffs, unpaid time off and wage freezes are underway as Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias deals with cuts amounting to $550,000. At least six employees were laid off earlier this month.

The attorney general's office is offering employees incentives for early retirement, while others are contributing more to their pensions. She's also imposed a hiring freeze.

Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn's office also is operating under a hiring freeze, with layoffs and furloughs being also under consideration.

Blagojevich is pressing lawmakers to return to Springfield in order to approve a statewide construction plan. He says the legislature's work on the budget also could restore many of the cuts and save Pontiac Correctional Center from being closed.

It's unlikely that any legislative action will occur before mid-September because of the national political conventions, so the doom and gloom of the governor's war on the front-line workers he once professed to support will continue to roar.

Maybe in between now and then, Madigan and Blagojevich can have a sleep-over or build a tree fort together. The way these guys play, it's going to take more than just a hug to move things forward.

TRAINING DAYS: The Blagojevich administration has had a high-turnover rate as of late when it comes to the people they hire to serve as spokespeople for the various state agencies.

Apparently, its tough duty trying to explain all the goofiness that's been going on in state government.

Given that they've had so many new people come on board recently, the governor's communication office held a training session for their mouthpieces last Tuesday.

A nationally known speaker was brought it to keynote the event at a cost of $4,800. His specialty: Responding to disasters and crises.

The subject couldn't have been more appropriate.

EMIL FALLOUT: At least one state senator is trying to make hay about retiring state Senate President Emil Jones' efforts to install his son, Emil Jones III, in his Senate seat.

State Sen. Matt Murphy, R-Palatine, is suggesting state law be changed to make it harder for politicians to "anoint" a successor without having to go before voters.

His plan would set deadlines for politicians to withdraw from the ballot and require a special primary election to fill the ballot vacancy.

"I think people are fed up. They are offended so many Chicago politicians seem to think they have a right to hand down a public office to their children," Murphy said.

THE GREAT OUTDOORS: On Nov. 1, the Department of Natural Resources will padlock entrance gates to 12 state parks as part of the governor's budget cuts.

In short, the public will be banned from these public lands.

So, we asked, what would happen if you're caught hiking in a closed state park?

"I assume, by state law, it would be trespassing," said DNR spokesman Chris McCloud.

Welcome to Illinois.

kurt.erickson@lee.net|217-789-0865