SPRINGFIELD - Gov. Rod Blagojevich signaled Thursday that he may not close a dozen state parks later this month, but a similar number of historic sites remain on track to shut their doors Nov. 30. | Gov. talks to possible Senate candidates | outgoing GOP leader returns to Capitol

On a day that saw Blagojevich retreat from his push to acquire more power to slash the ailing state budget, the governor signed legislation that will make about $176 million available for state parks, substance abuse treatment centers and the Department of Children and Family Services.

Spokeswoman Katherine Ridgway warned that it's still not a sure bet parks won't close.

"We're exploring all options," Ridgway said. "These are all difficult decisions we have to make."

The governor did make it clear that the targeted historic sites are not in the mix. He overrode the wishes of lawmakers and vetoed $2.4 million that would have kept them open past Nov. 30.

"I'm encouraged he left the money in for the parks. It's a lifeline," said state Rep. Dan Brady, R-Bloomington. "It's not good news for historic sites."

The David Davis Mansion in Bloomington was on the closure list, but a private foundation is raising money to keep it open for the time being.

In a statement, Blagojevich said the money he is restoring via Senate Bill 1103 is for "core services."

"(We) need to ensure that we continue to provide core services to Illinoians - that includes funding for substance abuse addiction treatment, care for persons with developmental disabilities and funding for public transportation," the governor said.

The governor's move came after lawmakers had left the Capitol on Thursday evening for the remainder of the year. The Legislature is not scheduled to return to action until mid-January.

Blagojevich had cut money from the budget last summer after lawmakers sent him a spending plan he says is $2 billion out of balance.

Lawmakers moved to restore some of the funds he originally cut by tapping into a series of special state funds. But Blagojevich said Thursday that federal rules bar the use of about $55 million of that money.

Tom Pliura of LeRoy, who operates a horse-riding concession at nearby Moraine View State Park, was surprised to hear of the governor's decision to keep funding available for the parks.

"This is news to me," Pliura said.

Pliura said no one at the Illinois Department of Natural Resources had contacted him about the possible change in plans. Pliura has a court date set for Dec. 1 for his lawsuit asking the closures be stopped.

He called the situation "fluid," and Ridgway agreed with that characterization.

"We're going to continue to look for places that we can find efficiencies," Ridgeway said.

Along with Moraine View, other parks eyed for closure included Weldon Springs near Clinton.

The governor's moves on the state parks came on a day that saw him back off efforts to gain extra powers to cut funding for public schools, universities, employee pensions and local governments by up to 8 percent.

While the governor already has the ability to trim costs in agencies that he controls, he wants approval to carve up to $2.2 billion out of other parts of the state budget as a way to deal with slumping state revenues.

It was clear lawmakers aren't ready to go along with his plan.

University officials told a House panel Thursday that cutting their budgets by up to 8 percent would result in layoffs, higher tuition and fewer programs.

Southern Illinois University President Glenn Poshard said the governor's plan could result in a tuition hike, making college unaffordable for many students.

"We can't afford the kind of cuts that are being anticipated here," Poshard told lawmakers.

At Illinois State University, next year's incoming freshmen could see a 16 percent bump in tuition if the governor's plan went into effect, said Phil Adams, a top aide to ISU President Al Bowman.

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Closing time?

The following Illinois state historic sites that will be shuttered Nov. 30 as part of the state's budget woes:

Dana Thomas House, Springfield

Hauberg Indian Museum at Blackhawk State Historic Site, Quad-Cities

Lincoln Log Cabin, Lerna

Fort de Chartres, Randolph County

Vandalia Statehouse, Vandalia

Bishop Hill, Henry County

Carl Sandburg, Galesburg

Cahokia Courthouse, Cahokia

Bryant Cottage, Bement

Jubilee College, Peoria County

Apple River Fort, Elizabeth

Fort Kaskaskia, Randolph County

Pierre Menard Home, Randolph County