When Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan speaks, people listen.

Speaker Michael Madigan subscribes to the theory that the man who speaks least has the most to say.

So after the usually inscrutable Madigan opined this week on the necessity of the state facing up to fiscal reality, his comments bear examination.

Madigan warned state legislators that they "can't kick the can down the road any further" and that they face additional difficult decisions beyond the massive tax increases approved in January.

Madigan's intentions were two-fold, according to Rich Miller, a veteran observer of the General Assembly.

Obviously, he was raising issues that must be addressed. Further, Miller said, Madigan wants legislators to know that "just because they've passed a tax increase does not mean the state spending party can begin."

It's hard to imagine that anyone with even the slightest acquaintance with the state's budget issues could think otherwise. But many in the General Assembly have already demonstrated they don't think much.

Legislators have dug the state into such a deep financial hole that the $6 billion-plus in new revenue isn't close to getting it out.

Madigan pointed out that big problems remain if Illinois is to pull itself out of what is effectively bankruptcy. He said "the legislature will have to take some action" on health insurances costs for retired state workers and on pension benefits for current state employees. There are other subjects he could have mentioned, but legislators should get the idea.

Obviously, none of this will be pleasant work. But Madigan is correct that circumstances are dire. He's late in addressing these issues, but his words are critically important nonetheless.