SPRINGFIELD - Gov. Rod Blagojevich is backing off plans to slash the state tourism spending, but local tourism officials are adopting a wait-and-see attitude.

Blagojevich reversed course following a heavy lobbying effort from tourism groups and Senate President Emil Jones, D-Chicago, who fully-funded the programs in his budget proposal.

"It's a process. Senator Jones thought it was important and people across the state made their case persuasively," said Bradley Tusk, deputy governor. "We made choices; some of them become law, some don't."

In February, Blagojevich proposed cutting the state's tourism budget from $47.2 million this year to $22 million for the fiscal year beginning July 1.

Now, the governor wants to keep tourism funding at the current level. However, legislative leaders and Blagojevich continue to haggle over the fiscal 2005 budget, where anything is possible.

Lawmakers missed a May 31 deadline to pass the fiscal 2005 budget with a simple majority.

"We still don't have a budget, and he's not signed off on it," said Denene Wilmeth, executive director for the Decatur Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. She is hopeful tourism funding will not be cut in the end.

Wilmeth said the cuts originally proposed would have made it difficult for the agency to market local tourist attractions.

"The state money is earmarked for sales and marketing, and the only way to grow is to sell and market your venues," she said.

In 2002, domestic travelers spent $22 billion in Illinois, which created 302,600 tourism related jobs according to state estimates.

Matt Adrian can be reached at matt.adrian@;lee.net or 789-0865.