SPRINGFIELD - Despite few signs that the political logjam is loosening, Gov. Rod Blagojevich called on lawmakers Wednesday to return to the state Capitol next week for another go-around on the state budget.

The governor urged the Illinois House to sign off on a number of proposals that could help close a $2 billion budget gap.

The call for a special session on July 9 and 10 came as the state entered its second day of the new fiscal year without a spending plan in place.

Officials say Illinoisans won't likely notice the lack of a budget for at least the next 10 days.

The governor's decree is the latest chapter in a high-stakes game of political chicken between himself and House Speaker Michael Madigan

The move could result in a repeat of last summer, when the governor's call for a special session yielded more acrimony than progress.

"I'm not overly encouraged that this will be productive," said state Rep. Dan Brady, R-Bloomington.

"Here we go again," added state Rep. David Reis, R-Willow Hill.

Blagojevich said he was forced to call for the special session because Madigan hadn't taken any action to avert possible budget cuts.

"Since the House Democratic leaders have failed to call the House back to Springfield to pass these revenues, I must do the responsible thing for the state and call them back myself," Blagojevich said.

In making the announcement, however, Blagojevich offered no new proposals that could end the stalemate.

For example, House Democratic leaders are skittish over Blagojevich's proposal to raise $400 million by restructuring state pension programs because of instability in the nation's economy.

A proposal to transfer money out of special state funds also has met resistance, and attempts to expand gambling and lease the state lottery already have been turned down in the House.

State Rep. George Scully, D-Flossmoor, said the proposals don't have much support.

"They will almost certainly be voted down," Scully said.

If no additional money is approved, the governor says he'll cut $1.5 billion out of the budget. Aid to the poor, hospitals, nursing homes and veterans would be affected.

State Rep. Chapin Rose, R-Mahomet, said Democrats in the House were aware in May that this scenario could play itself out.

"I've not seen anything that's changed since then," Rose said.

As part of the ongoing state budget impasse, Blagojevich has halted work on nearly 40 construction projects across the state, saying lawmakers didn't approve money to fund them once the new fiscal year began July 1.

Along with closing a $2 billion budget gap, he wants them to fix legislation that would free up funding for the projects.

Among the projects now on hold are:

- Dwight Correctional Center, roofing work

- Vandalia Correctional Center, roofing work

- Vienna Correctional Center, roofing work

- Illinois State Police firing range improvements, Effingham

- Black Hawk State Historic Site in Rock Island, improvements

- Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site in Collinsville, entrance improvements

- Pere Marquette State Park in Jersey County sewage plant replacement

- David Davis Mansion in Bloomington, roof repairs

- Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site in Coles County, sewer replacement

- Taylorville Correctional Center, entrance improvements

- Kenneth Hall Regional Office building, East St. Louis, wall repairs

- Logan Correctional Center, Lincoln, power plant upgrades

- Illinois State Police District 22, Ullin, roof repairs

- Illinois State Police District 13, DuQuoin, firing range upgrades

Kurt Erickson can be reached at kurt.erickson@lee.net or 789-0865.