SPRINGFIELD - A key group of lawmakers who in May tried to hold up a state budget unless Illinoisans got relief from higher power bills isn't planning an encore, their leader said Tuesday.

Last month, lawmakers approved a plan to get Ameren Corp. and Commonwealth Edison customers rebates for their high power bills this year.

Gov. Rod Blagojevich has held onto the plan without approving it, much to the dismay of the agreement's negotiators. He has to sign off before customers get their checks and bill credits in the mail.

State Rep. Tom Holbrook, D-Belleville, said that because lawmakers already approved the relief plan, they likely won't hold up the state budget.

The House approved a spending plan in May. At that time, Holbrook used a legislative maneuver to stymie its progress, even though it may not have gone much further anyway.

"We've done everything we feel we can," Holbrook said.

"I don't think we can have disabled veterans and schoolchildren not knowing what they're going to be receiving," he said.

The rate deal took lawmakers and the state attorney general's office months to negotiate, and Blagojevich has said he needs time to review it. The governor has faced criticism that the delay could mean customers pay higher rates in the next five years.

If lawmakers approve a budget soon and end their annual session, they could be in a tough spot if Blagojevich vetoes or changes the rate relief plan while they're gone.

But state Rep. Bob Flider, D-Mount Zion, said denying customers their rebates might not reflect well on Blagojevich, either.

"It puts him in a tough position, too," Flider said.

State Sen. Gary Forby, D-Benton, echoed other lawmakers in saying Blagojevich could have avoided his need to review the rate deal if he had helped negotiate it from the beginning.

"I think this is the worst thing he's ever done," Forby said.

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