SPRINGFIELD - The latest price tag on lawmakers' plans to fix Illinois bridges and school buildings is about $25 billion.

But that number may be looking a little steep as lawmakers this year have rejected a handful of ideas to raise state revenues to pay for the long-sought construction work.

Now, some are saying they might be willing to settle for a less-expensive bricks and mortar program.

"If we can't find the revenue, then let's do as much as we can," said state Rep. Bob Flider, D-Mount Zion.

The $25 billion program could pay for an array of projects, from new university buildings to basic prison maintenance.

While not tied directly to construction, lawmakers already have rejected two changes to the state income tax that could have resulted in more money for the state.

If the construction plan was downsized, fewer projects, which would create fewer jobs, would get done, but it's been more than a year of failed attempts to get something done at all.

"I would be interested in anything," said state Sen. Gary Forby, D-Benton. "If we can downsize, I don't have a problem."

Others are wary of the idea of cutting back. A similar construction program hasn't been approved since 1999, when George Ryan was governor.

"There's been some talk about a scaled-down version," said Senate Minority Leader Frank Watson, R-Greenville. "Kind of a bare-bones, but I'm not sure that gets the job done."

And some worry not spending enough will mean a lost opportunity to get the federal government to pay its share.

While the state has to come up with most of the money for construction, the federal government will chip in for some road and bridge work. The more the state spends, the more the federal government will match, to a point.

The price tag aside, politics continues to play a role in the issue. Top lawmakers all have varying ideas for ways to pay for a construction program, but many lawmakers are skittish about giving Gov. Rod Blagojevich power to hand out the money.

State Rep. Chapin Rose, R-Mahomet, said that concern will remain, whether lawmakers agree to spend $15 billion or $35 billion.

"That same lack of trust will apply," Rose said.

Mike Riopell can be reached at mike.riopell@lee.net or 789-0865.