SPRINGFIELD - Illinois' long-running political battle will begin marching through communities around the state this week, with House Speaker Michael Madigan holding public hearings to gather ammunition against Gov. Rod Blagojevich's state budget cuts.

In a written announcement of the hearings, one of which will be Wednesday in Decatur, Madigan's office left little doubt about what the tone will be.

"Illinoisans in every region of the state want to put a human face on Blagojevich's budget tactics," Madigan said in the announcement. "The governor's savage cuts will have seriously adverse consequences for millions of Illinois residents."

In an e-mailed response, the Blagojevich administration called that a "gross exaggeration" and pointed out the vetoed projects comprised less than 1 percent of the more than $50 billion state budget.

Madigan is planning 19 hearings over the next three weeks in communities affected by Blagojevich's budget cuts. The purpose of the hearings will be "to build support for an override of the governor's budget vetoes," his office said.

State Rep. Bob Flider, D-Mount Zion, will be a presence at the Decatur meeting.

"I encourage anyone who is concerned about the loss of this funding for our region, and those who disagree with the governor's actions, to attend this hearing and make their feelings known," Flider said. "We need to convince the Senate to support an override of the budget vetoes, and a good community showing at this forum can help build the necessary momentum."

Madigan's move raises the stakes in a battle that's been raging all summer between Blagojevich and Madigan over state spending priorities. The rift between the two Chicago Democrats nearly led to a state government shutdown and continues to affect school funding and other issues.

Blagojevich wanted to create a massive new health care initiative, but Madigan and other lawmakers refused to approve funding for it, saying the state can't afford it. Blagojevich responded by cutting $460 million from the state budget that had been earmarked by Madigan and others to pay for projects around the state.

Blagojevich has labeled those projects as "pork." They include basic projects like street repair, new fire equipment and a lauded statewide anti-crime program. Their elimination from the budget has sparked outrage from lawmakers in both parties, anger that Madigan clearly hopes he can parlay into an override vote that would restore the cuts.

"During budget negotiations, I secured funding for critical projects in Central Illinois, including a violence prevention initiative in Decatur, after-school programs, bridge repairs and equipment for local police departments," Flider said.

"In one of his most blatant political actions since taking office, Gov. Rod Blagojevich ignored our communities' needs by slashing these projects from the budget in order to try and advance his own personal agenda. Adding insult to injury, he then called these projects 'pork,' 'nonessential' and 'spending that we can't afford' while at the same time announcing that he intended to spend the money on projects of his own choosing."

In the administration's response, Blagojevich spokesman Justin DeJong faulted lawmakers, saying they "didn't include enough revenues in the budget to pay for many worthy projects that were vetoed, so they're looking to place that blame with us.

"What's a real shame is that the budget virtually ignored the health care crisis facing millions of people throughout this state, and the governor had to take significant steps to make sure their needs are being met," DeJong said.

Kevin McDermott can be reached at kmcdermott@post-dispatch.com or 782-4912.