SPRINGFIELD - Gov. Rod Blagojevich sent letters to every school district in the state Friday, warning local superintendents that inaction by lawmakers means they'll lose millions in state money.

In the letter, the governor laid the blame squarely on House Speaker Michael Madigan, a fellow Chicago Democrat with whom he has squabbled all year.

Each of the more than 800 letters was personalized to describe how much each district wouldn't get, should the Madigan-controlled House not approve the money. Blagojevich released the letter to reporters Friday, but schools won't see them until they land in mailboxes, likely Monday.

Last month, lawmakers approved a budget that could give $554 million more to schools statewide, but the House has yet to act on further legislation that essentially lets that increase take effect.

"The Speaker of the House, Michael Madigan, is the only person who can call an implementation bill for a vote," Blagojevich wrote in the letter.

For example, Blagojevich spokesman Justin DeJong said schools in the Decatur region would miss out on $37 million.

Terry Pearcy, superintendent of the Sullivan School District, said Friday that he couldn't comment on the letter without seeing it, but did express frustration at this year's budgetary process.

"Schools aren't the only organizations with cash flow concerns and also wondering how much of this is about politics rather than doing what's best for the people involved," he said.

The governor's letter indicates the Sullivan district stands to receive about $475,825 more than last year under the new budget, but Pearcy said the district received its first distribution of property taxes in mid-August, so it's not hurting at this point for the additional state aid.

"We're one of the luckier ones in that regard," he said. "Some counties haven't sent out tax bills yet."

The governor's letter to Gloria Davis, superintendent of Decatur schools, said the district will get about $2.63 million more than last year.

Davis was in Springfield for a statewide superintendents meeting Friday, however, and unavailable for comment.

News of the letter comes a day after Madigan scheduled hearings across the state about cuts Blagojevich made in the budget, including millions from select lawmakers' pet projects. Madigan called them "savage cuts" with "seriously adverse consequences."

Madigan's spokesman said Friday that the House would work to approve all aspects of a budget agreement but didn't specify when lawmakers might vote on the increased school funding.

And spokesman Steve Brown criticized Blagojevich's methods in sending about 800 letters to the state's superintendents.

"It's not surprising that the governor would use that kind of sleazy tactic," Brown said.

The House is not scheduled to meet again until the first week in October, and the Senate is scheduled to come in Monday to deal with Chicago-area transit problems and a statewide construction plan.

The Senate already has approved legislation for the school funding increase.

Mike Riopell can be reached at mike.riopell@lee.net or 789-0865. Theresa Churchill can be reached at tchurchill@herald-review.com or 421-7978.