Budget hot topic at fair rally

SPRINGFIELD – An overwhelming agreement to endorse U.S. Sen. Barack Obama's bid for president was overshadowed by Democratic Party infighting on Wednesday.

Gov. Rod Blagojevich used the annual party unity breakfast and Illinois State Fair rally to trumpet his controversial decision to cut $500 million from the budget the Democrat-controlled General Assembly sent him and use the money to expand health care programs.

Also on this date

• Blagojevich's veto could mean millions lost locally
• Wireless outfit Qualcomm to hire 20 locally
• Plans call for reopening Arcola grocery sometime this fall
• Bismarck-Henning schools swap officials
• Chickens in mass migration to new $3.2 million farm
• Westville officials to shuffle funds until state aid arrives
• Researcher to take over as head of department
• UI business school students must now pick major
• Researchers study how to 'see' under ground
• Obituaries

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