SPRINGFIELD, Ill. | Illinois' Democratic leaders have plenty of big issues to argue about, from health care to gambling. But as their deadlock over the state budget drags on, they're also finding time to squabble about work schedules.

Gov. Rod Blagojevich wants lawmakers, particularly House members, to spend more time at the state Capitol until a budget is approved. In budget negotiations Tuesday, he "asked over and over again to have the legislators here five days a week," said Deputy Gov. Sheila Nix.

Legislators, however, point out that Blagojevich has a long record of absences at the Statehouse.

During much of the spring session, he visited Springfield only one day a week. And he wasn't there last week when aides held a news conference to propose a series of budget meetings with lawmakers.

"For the governor to criticize legislators, especially on the issue of time spent in Springfield, is obviously not a subject that goes over well," said Rep. John Fritchey, D-Chicago.

Senate President Emil Jones, D-Chicago, also said legislators should spend more time at the Capitol, perhaps even weekends. Then he sent them home for a week and has not revealed how often he intends to convene the Senate.

The issue is more than petty bickering.

If lawmakers had to hang out at the Capitol five days a week with little to do, their frustration levels could climb sharply. Some would be away from their regular jobs. They would miss local meetings. They'd be paying for Springfield hotels and meals out of their own pocket, since daily expense payments stopped after the Legislature's May 31 deadline.

That might put pressure on legislative leaders to agree to something n anything n to end the impasse. House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, has negated that potential advantage for Blagojevich by calling his members to Springfield only two or three times a week.

And Blagojevich may be hurting chances for an agreement by alienating the lawmakers who, ultimately, have the final say over a new state budget.

"There's a lot of negativity and there's a lot of animosity," said Rep. John Bradley, D-Marion. "I'm of the opinion that positive remarks ... are always the better route to take if possible."

Bradley bristled at the governor's implication that lawmakers aren't working unless they're at the Capitol. He said they work harder in their districts than in Springfield.

He and others also said there's little that lawmakers can accomplish in Springfield until Blagojevich and the legislative leaders come up with some new budget proposals they can discuss with the rank-and-file.

Officials were supposed to finish a new budget by May 31, but the Democrats who dominate Springfield have failed to agree.

Blagojevich and Jones want to expand gambling and impose new business taxes to provide $5 billion for schools and health care. Madigan wants a budget that depends largely on natural revenue growth, which he acknowledges is not enough to cover all the state's expenses.

Blagojevich hasn't made a public appearance at the Capitol in about two weeks. But Nix argued it's important for lawmakers to be in session so they can provide feedback to legislative leaders on any budget developments. Madigan, in particular, has stressed that his negotiating position is driven by his members' wishes.

Nix also said Tuesday that "the House members don't actually understand what they voted for" in approving a version of the budget last month. That budget plan is out of balance, and Nix said that means education funding would have to be cut if it ever became law.

After the meeting, participants couldn't even agree on what had been accomplished.

For instance, Madigan and Jones said three of the four leaders firmly opposed selling the state lottery or borrowing billions of dollars for state pension systems. But the two Republican leaders said they haven't ruled it out, and Blagojevich considers it open to negotiation.

But the meeting did include a 20-minute discussion of who was the better third baseman, the Cardinals' Ken Boyer or the Cubs' Ron Santo, said House Minority Leader Tom Cross, R-Oswego.