* Senate President Don Harmon did an impromptu gaggle with reporters tonight on his way to a caucus meeting…

Reporter: Will there be any votes on budget bills tonight?

President Harmon: I doubt that but we’re going to caucus right now to discuss the schedule for today and tomorrow.

Reporter: So you will be here tomorrow, in session?

Harmon: We’re planning to be here tomorrow in session.

Reporter: Any plan beyond that? Sunday, Monday, Tuesday?

Harmon: I’m hoping the Senate will be able to wrap up its business tomorrow.

Reporter: What are the sticking points right now?

Harmon: Time.

Reporter: An amendment hasn’t dropped yet, what is the..?

Harmon: We agreed from the start that the House and the Senate would agree to every word and every number in the budget before filing. We are very close to that with the next amendment. We’re talking to both of our caucuses and we’ll move forward after that.

Reporter: What is the situation with the transit money coming out of the Road Fund? Local 150 is opposed to this, they seem to believe that they have been able to stall the budget over this. Do you think that can be overcome?

Harmon: I do. I do. I think it’s important to remember that a significant chunk of the Road Fund is dedicated to mass transit. We’d like to emphasize that the money going to the RTA for mass transit is coming from the portion of the Road Fund that supports mass transit, and not taking money away from the roads.

Reporter: The House is down like 10 people. I guess they’re going back up tomorrow. Do you see any need to run the bonding authority bill in the Senate before it goes to the House?

Harmon: We’re going to coordinate with the House, we’ll make sure that both chambers are in full agreement on which Bill starts where. We’ve worked very well in collaboration with the House through this whole process. We’re going to continue that to the bitter end.

Reporter: Will the Senate take up that prisoner review board measure?

Harmon: I expect so but I haven’t talked to the caucus.

Reporter: What about the Chicago School Board bill? There’s been some pushback.

Harmon: I need to talk to the caucus about that as well. Let me get the caucus since we’re late already. Thank you all appreciate it.

*** Adding ***

* The paper release…

House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch released the following statement Saturday:

“The House and Senate are very close to an agreement on a final budget. Procedurally, the earliest an agreement could pass both chamber is next week. To let members and staff rest and spend time with family, we are adjourning for the holiday weekend and will return to complete this work.”