SPRINGFIELD - Downstate Republican lawmakers may be holding out hope, but they aren't holding their breath for a statewide construction program.

Most of their Democratic counterparts, however, say a plan to fund the program, known as the capital bill, sits just beyond the horizon now that the Chicago-area mass transit bailout appears to be nearly complete.

What the two sides can agree on is that Illinois is in dire need of legislation that would set aside funds for the construction of roads, bridges, schools and energy projects, which the state has been without since 1999 when George Ryan was governor.

"I think the good thing is they got (mass transit) out of the way, so, hopefully, now we can concentrate on the capital bill and gaming bill," said state Rep. Mike Boland, D-East Moline.

Many lawmakers see last week's approval of the transit bailout as lost leverage to get a capital program in place.

"The opportunity was last week. We're still committed to it, but the impetus to get it done for anybody from Chicago is gone," said state Rep. Chapin Rose, R-Mahomet, one of a multitude of Republican lawmakers who had hoped to barter for a construction bill by opposing the Chicago transit bailout, which received the needed votes for passage Thursday.

While party perspectives remain clear, passing a statewide construction bill ultimately will hinge on establishing a funding source for the multibillion-dollar legislation currently pitched as a gambling expansion.

The gaming bill would generate the necessary revenue to fund a statewide construction plan, and although lawmakers downstate wouldn't have to live with the ethical dilemmas of a casino in Chicago, the prospects of making Illinois the second largest state for gambling does have some searching for alternatives.

"I think we have to be really careful about tying a teacher's salary to someone's gambling habits," said state Sen. Mike Jacobs, D-East Moline, one of nine Democrats who did not support the transit bill during its final vote Thursday.

Still, there is support for the plan if it means lawmakers can bring home the needed funding to pay for new buildings at their area universities, road renovations or, in the case of Boland, a new water and sewer works system in East Moline and Fort Byron.

"These communities are old, their infrastructure is falling apart and they need all the help they can get," Boland said.

Republicans have pitched a plan to use money from the state's motor fuel tax to fund the capital plan because it would be a more predictable revenue stream, said state Sen. Todd Sieben, R-Geneseo.

"The reason I'm doubtful about gambling is because it seems everyone else has given up on the idea," Sieben said, adding that leaning on gambling is a "shaky revenue stream."

House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, will consider gaming expansion to pay for a capital program but only if it includes securities on the use of money accumulated through new casinos and slot machines.

"We have not had a proposal to vote on, but I support the speaker's idea to ensure that organized crime cannot have a hand in gambling," said state Rep. Bob Flider, D-Mount Zion. "The governor, nor any other politician, would be able to be involved in the gaming commission."

Although Madigan spokesman Steve Brown said the speaker "will be able to work on a capital program through the state budget," the speaker has skeptics in both chambers.

"I'm going to keep pushing it, but I think the speaker is the main problem," said Senate Minority Leader Frank Watson, R-Greenville. "I think the speaker and the members of his caucus believe it needs to happen, but when it comes to agreeing to a bill, it's delay, delay, delay."

Even some House Democrats have questioned the speaker's desire to push a construction bill.

"Frankly, I don't think the speaker is enamored with doing the capital bill," said state Rep. Kurt Granberg, D-Carlyle. "He says the votes aren't there, but he underestimates himself."

For most lawmakers lobbying for a construction bill, just as important as gaining support for the proposal is trusting the governor to sign a measure that showers billions of dollars in projects all over the state.

"Before you vote for the revenue sources, you have to decide how the money will be spent in your area," said state Rep. Bill Mitchell, R-Forsyth. "This governor has not been overly generous in Central Illinois."

Some lawmakers fear the governor will fund programs of only those who support him.

"Those in tight legislative races may get more funding. Those with more affiliation to the governor may get more projects released," said state Rep. David Miller, D-Lynwood. "If there's a problem between the administration and a state representative, they may be moved down the list."

Despite any trust issues lawmakers have with the governor, Blagojevich spokeswoman Rebecca Rausch said the governor's eyes are on approving a capital bill.

"The governor comes to Springfield with priorities in mind," she said. "Illinois needs a capital bill, and the need is clear. I can't think of a reason why a lawmaker would put these issues before voting for a capital bill."

Kartikay Mehrotra may be reached at 789-0865.