* Word from today’s leaders meeting in Chicago is that after some vitriol between himself and House Speaker Michael Madigan, Gov. Pat Quinn has decided to back away from his stance that the “A-B” combo pension reform proposal should be passed. The proposal would’ve combined Madigan’s pension bill with Senate President John Cullerton’s bill, with Madigan’s taking effect first. If it was struck down, Cullerton’s bill would then become law.

Now, though, the plan is to send the matter to conference committee…

Gov. Pat Quinn is asking legislative leaders to form a conference committee to forge a compromise on Illinois’ $97 billion pension crisis. […]

Quinn spokeswoman Brooke Anderson says since the two leaders won’t budge, a committee of lawmakers should work it out.

Yeah. The rank and file will surely come to an agreement without their leaders’ input. This is basically a punt designed to buy some more time.

*** UPDATE 1 *** Madigan didn’t buy into the idea…

Madigan called the conference committee an “effort by the governor to distance himself from the process.”

And the stalemate continues…

Cullerton maintains that the Senate version would fly through the House — if only Madigan would call it for a floor vote.

“Why doesn’t the speaker call the bill?” Cullerton said senators ask him.

Cullerton said it was unlikely that senators would support the House version until then.

*** UPDATE 2 *** Tribune…

“I kind of felt like I was witnessing an awkward family fight,” Senate Republican Christine Radogno of Lemont said following Friday’s closed-door meeting. “It was uncomfortable and it’s clear there is not even close to an agreement between the Democrats. It was them sort of dancing around the problems they have.”