*** I couldn’t figure out why nobody had commented on this post. Then someone called shortly after one o’clock asking why I hadn’t posted one of the stories listed here. Turns out, I accidentally hit the “private” button when I published the post, so only I could see it. Oops. I’ve bumped it to the top for discussion purposes. Sorry about that, campers. ***

* As I told Capitol Fax subscribers this morning, this was the hottest topic of discussion at the Statehouse yesterday…

Senate President Emil Jones took a whack Tuesday at a state senator tight with House Speaker Michael Madigan in apparent retaliation for opposing Gov. Blagojevich’s playbook on gambling, health care and a big tax on businesses.

Jones (D-Chicago) told Sen. Louis Viverito, an assistant majority leader, he was not “welcome” in a closed-door Senate Democratic leadership meeting. The unprecedented move sent reverberations through the Statehouse, where feuding Democrats have been unable to pass a state budget or provide utility rate relief.

Stuff like that doesn’t usually make it into the mainstream press. When three of the four Senate Latinos revolted earlier this year, it barely rated a mention. So, why was Viverito dumped? Here’s part of the reason…

Viverito (D-Burbank) voted against the Senate president and Blagojevich on a major gambling expansion bill, on the governor’s cherished-but-floundering universal health care plan and the governor’s failed $7.6 billion gross receipts tax on businesses. […]

Also Tuesday, Viverito was replaced on the Senate Rules Committee, a key legislative panel controlled by Jones that determines what gets voted on and what dies.

Viverito is Madigan’s Senator, and there’s much more to the back story, but you’ll have to subscribe to find out what that is. “Democratic disarray” has become a hot topic ever since the session flopped into overtime. So, we may see more stories like that one.

* The Sun-Times story above has a little more of what it’s like to be a member of Jones’ caucus and so does the Tribune’s blog. Yesterday, Sen. Todd Sieben presented Sen. Mike Jacobs with some boxing gloves on the Senate floor, in honor of Jacobs’ feud with Gov. Blagojevich…

Sen. Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) tried on the boxing gloves and started throwing a few playful punches toward Jacobs. Senate President Emil Jones (D-Chicago) sternly called her name from a few desks away. When they locked eyes, Jones shook his head “no.” Hunter then put the gloves down.

* Meanwhile, the overtime session’s first leadership negotiations began with a whole lot of posturing, with Emil Jones blaming Mike Madigan for the overtime session, Madigan saying that Jones ought to pass the House-approved budget, which Jones derided as inadequate, the Republicans blaming Democrats for having to be in town in the first place, and Gov. Blagojevich demanding that legislators work five days a week until the deal is cut. Here are a few tastes of the day’s activities…

* SJ-R…

Republican legislative leaders joined state budget talks for the first time Tuesday, but the results were the same as when the Democrats kept the party to themselves.

The roughly 90-minute meeting produced a lot of talk and little in the way of a solution to the impasse that has sent the General Assembly into overtime for the second time since 2004.

* AP…

“I’d say we’re far apart. There was listening but there was also a lot of posturing,” said House Minority Leader Tom Cross, R-Oswego. […]

“Everyone in America works five days a week and is expected to put in full-time work in order to complete their jobs,” said Blagojevich spokeswoman Abby Ottenhoff. She would not answer any questions.

Jones said the Senate would meet at least five days a week, and he said lawmakers failed to adjourn on time “because of lack of concern in the House basically.”

Madigan argued that rate relief for consumers hit by skyrocketing electric rates would open the door for budget action. Jones has been reluctant to approve rate relief that would apply to customers of both Ameren and ComEd.

* Daily Herald…

In the state’s latest finger-pointing battle, more than 40 newly empowered Republicans took Gov. Rod Blagojevich to task Tuesday for his spotty Springfield presence. They supported a resolution that asks him to remain in Springfield while lawmakers finish state business.

* Tribune…

Madigan noted his chamber passed a budget with a 3 percent increase for the fiscal year beginning July 1.

“There are 37 Democrats,” Madigan said. “All you need is 36 of the 37 to send the bill to the governor.”

In turn, Jones criticized Madigan’s budget, saying it is merely a “base” figure. Cross said the Madigan plan is way out of balance.

A governor’s aide warned that essential state services could be cut by month’s end if a budget is not approved.

* More overtime stories, compiled by Paul…

* Cindy Richards: Legislature’s small-minded failure

* Editorial: Time to play ball with less fighting, more teamwork

* Sun-Times Editorial: Only hard work can overcome Springfield rancor

* Bethany Carson: Baby steps on the budget

* Governor warns of potential government shutdown

* Governor’s expect tighter budgets in 2008