SPRINGFIELD - With the battle over a bailout of mass transit systems in Chicago complete, Central Illinois lawmakers are turning to new initiatives to start the long-overdue session.

Besides numerous projects for their districts, the subjects on the minds of lawmakers are the need for a statewide construction program, the concern over a balanced state budget and an end to the infighting that paralyzed the General Assembly last year.

Lawmakers return to action Feb. 13.

State Sen. Bill Brady, R-Bloomington, said the 2008 session should be used to approve legislation dealing with the state's budgetary crisis and persistent ethical problems, rather than lesser issues.

"I believe the reason so many people introduce legislation is because they want to see their picture and names in headlines," Brady said. "I think less is more this year."

State Rep. Bob Flider, D-Mount Zion, said a construction program, also known as a capital bill, is important not just to fix infrastructure, but to create jobs.

"It's vitally important to our communities that we fund road expansion and make sure with a capital bill that people are working," Flider said.

He said he will propose a program that will test men for prostate cancer in much the same way women are tested for breast cancer.

"We're trying to advance the concept that men not only need to get tested, but also in situations where treatment is needed and resources are not available, we can find resources and save lives," Flider said.

He also plans to propose a better community service education program for students.

"It's good for the students, it's good for the schools and there's a model program in Sullivan, so my hope is to provide a level of funding for it," Flider said.

Senate Minority Leader Frank Watson, R-Greenville, said the financial situation of the state must be solved.

"We're really becoming a state that is known for not paying its bills," Watson said. "We've got to get our fiscal house in order."

Watson said he also will confront the proposed clean coal plant planned by Tenaska Energy for Taylorville. Watson said the facility would generate about 4,000 jobs and would be a boost to economic development in the region.

State Rep. Bill Mitchell, R-Forsyth, said issues with immigration and Medicaid reforms will be top on his list, and the state's financial situation also will be a large concern.

"I don't think the General Assembly is being very fiscally responsible right now," Mitchell said. "We're not paying our bills on time."

State Sen. Dale Righter, R-Mattoon, echoed those concerns.

"We owe more money to health care providers than we ever have in this state's history," Righter said. "Meanwhile, the governor keeps pushing expansions for public assistance for health care."

Another concern for his district is continuing work on the FutureGen energy plant, slated for construction in Mattoon. The facility, a joint project between the federal government and other governments and organizations, aims to create a zero-emissions energy plant that uses coal.

"We need to push forward and pressure the federal government for a commitment to fund the FutureGen project as it was designed," Righter said.

Whether the conflict that characterized the 2007 session will carry over to the 2008 session remains to be seen.

"Everybody's got to be at the table," Watson said of his hopes for cooperation. "Some of the people have to put their egos aside and their personal differences aside and realize that the people of this state come first."

Kenneth Lowe can be reached at kenneth.lowe@lee.net or 789-0865.