SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – A tote board in the Illinois House chamber reminded lawmakers about how much their idle time was costing taxpayers during a string of fruitless special sessions on the state’s budget.

By the time the budget was approved late Saturday, the scorecard topped $300,000, an estimate of the per diems that lawmakers received for being summoned to the capital while the stalemate dragged on over the last month.

Some lawmakers predict the final tally could hit $1 million when checks are cut for other expenses, such as their mileage to and from Springfield, along with travel and overtime for state employees who were called in.

Becky Carroll, spokeswoman for the governor’s budget office, said both cost estimates are “grossly inflated.” But when final figures are known in a few weeks, she thinks the investment will prove worthwhile.

“This process needed a shot in the arm and the special sessions did that,” Carroll said. “It’s a price we’re willing to pay considering we were able to get hundreds of millions of dollars for schools and health care for our seniors and families.”

House Minority Leader Tom Cross, who helped craft the long-delayed budget with Gov. Rod Blagojevich and legislative leaders, agreed.

Lawmakers received a cost-of-living raise this session that boosted their base pay to $59,175. The per diems from the special sessions are on top of that, but some said they will reject the special session money or spread it among charities in their districts.

Instead, Moffitt will give his checks to charity, saying he doesn’t think lawmakers should collect extra money when they fail to finish their job on time.

Rep. Randy Hultgren shared Moffitt’s frustration, but the Republican lawmaker said he’ll take the money to cover his hotel, meals and travel to and from Wheaton.

“The governor stays at a taxpayer-funded mansion, I stay at the Red Roof Inn. … All of this stuff comes out of my pocket,” said Rep. Dan Rutherford, R-Pontiac.

Many legislators are full-time lawmakers. But Rep. David Miller, D-Dolton, estimated the special sessions cost him thousands of dollars at his solo dentist’s practice in suburban Chicago.