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SPRINGFIELD - The state's proposed mortgage of the Thompson Center in Chicago, a key part the governor's budget plan, was deemed unconstitutional by Attorney General Lisa Madigan Thursday, sparking an afternoon of name calling, demands of apologies and even greater budget tension.
Gov. Rod Blagojevich responded to Madigan's decision with charges of nepotism, claiming Madigan was influenced by her father, House Speaker Michael Madigan, who has disagreed with the governor on how to solve the budget problem.
"It's her father. You know, I can't fault her," he said, after a news conference in Chicago. "I don't want to get involved in a family deal here, but, you know, it's her father. I've got two daughters. I hope they back me on stuff that I do."
Thursday's events deepen the state's budget hole while escalating political tensions among the state's leading Democrats. Lawmakers have to agree on how to fix a $2 billion budget deficit before the next fiscal year begins July 1.
"This is not about politics, it's about the Constitution," said Melissa Merz, spokeswoman for Attorney General Madigan.
A spokesman for Speaker Madigan questioned how the governor could think blowing a $200 million hole in the budget would benefit Madigan. "It's an example of the pathetic,...