By DOUG WILSON

Herald-Whig Senior Writer

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Gov. Rod Blagojevich has ordered Illinois legislators into special session Aug. 12 and 13.

Blagojevich announced Tuesday afternoon that he wants lawmakers to consider education funding during the first day of the session and on a pared-down capital construction plan the next day.

"Last week former U.S. Speaker Dennis Hastert and I sat with leaders from the four caucuses to present a compromise ... capital plan. Now that they have had time to review our proposal, I will convene a special session so that they can pass a plan this summer that will repair and rebuild our state's infrastructure and put Illinoisians to work," Blagojevich said in a press release.

The $25 billion capital plan now being supported by the governor is down from a $34 billion plan. One major difference is that it does not expand the current number of riverboat casinos in Illinois or expand gambling.

Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie, D-Chicago, told the Associated Press that the plan would be "a hard sell" when she emerged from last week's meeting. Currie was attending the informational session on behalf of Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, who has been at odds with Blagojevich.

House Democrats did not vote on Blagojevich's capital plan and said they do not trust the governor to distribute the money fairly.

Blagojevich said Madigan is the only barrier to approving a capital construction bill.