SPRINGFIELD - After spending the past three weeks saying he would cut programs serving Illinois' neediest citizens on July 1, Gov. Pat Quinn appeared to blink Wednesday.

Although there appears to be no major solution to the state's massive budget deficit as the fiscal year comes to a close, Quinn told reporters that he never favored cutting funding to programs that serve the mentally ill, elderly and a host of others reliant on state services.

"We're not going to visit all the cuts on the most fragile and vulnerable people in our society," Quinn said. "I never support that and never will. So we will not allow that to take place."

The latest mixed signal from Illinois' chief executive came after two days of mostly futile negotiations over the state budget impasse. The threats to cut social service providers generated a lot of anger and frustration, as well as a large rally Tuesday, but haven't swayed enough lawmakers to support Quinn's call for an income tax hike.

Lawmakers are now talking about dipping into state employee pension funds to help keep state programs operating.

The pension scheme, similar to budgetary maneuvers employed by disgraced former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, is expected to be voted on by Tuesday, the final day of the state's fiscal year.

State Rep. Brandon Phelps, D-Harrisburg, said the plan, expected to generate about $2.2 billion, could help avoid the massive cuts Quinn has threatened.

"I don't know if we need a tax increase right now," said Phelps, who was among those voting against an income tax hike May 31.

Rather than slashing funds to social service programs, Quinn said Wednesday that state workers could face up to 12 furlough days.

But he acknowledged that would only generate about $125 million in savings and would not affect public safety workers, such as prison guards.

"We won't jeopardize safety," Quinn said.

Even that statement is in contrast to Quinn's earlier claims. In March, when he first called for an income tax hike, he said 200 state police officers would be laid off if lawmakers didn't approve the increase.

State Rep. Bill Mitchell, R-Forsyth, said Republicans are hesitant to support the pension borrowing plan until they know what it can fix. For example, Mitchell said he'd want to know that Decatur-based Macon Resources Inc. and its services to the developmentally disabled would be spared.

"If you vote for that, what kind of cuts would that avert?" Mitchell said.

State Sen. Dan Rutherford, R-Chenoa, favors enacting a temporary budget to keep government operating while lawmakers continue to hammer out a permanent spending plan.

"At least that would give people some consistency," Rutherford said.

Not everyone agrees that the pension borrowing plan relieves the need for an income tax hike.

"There's still a shortfall, and we need to take care of that," said state Rep. Pat Verschoore, D-Milan.

"We can't cut our way out of this deficit," added state Sen. John Sullivan, D-Rushville.

As the stalemate has dragged on, it has allowed Republicans in the minority to have a larger say in calling for various reforms.

They would like to see more cuts to the budget, including a ban on travel, no raises and furlough days for state employees.

State Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro, said Democrats could have avoided the 11th-hour battle had they included Republicans in talks beginning in January, when lawmakers first began meeting.

State Sen. Dale Righter, R-Mattoon, said GOP lawmakers now have more leverage to get their reforms enacted.

"I think this is a good position for us to be in," Righter said.

kurt.erickson@lee.net|789-0865