* There are lots and lots of theories about what Gov. Pat Quinn is “really” up to with his threat to close facilities and lay off thousands of state workers. This is the governor’s explanation…

“Our state won’t have enough money to get through the fiscal year, so we have to make reductions,” Quinn said. “I’m prepared to do what has to be done.”

That’s not a new concept. Senate President John Cullerton has been warning about the inadequacies of this budget for months…

“(T)he Senate president has warned for months that there are shortcomings in the current budget that will need to be addressed either during the fall session or early next year,” a statement noted.

And Sen. Gary Forby admitted the GA voted for a flawed plan…

“I knew the money would be short,” Forby said. “We passed a flawed budget.”

But not all Senate Democrats are sending the same message…

Sen. John Sullivan, a member of the Democratic leadership team, denied Quinn’s claim that legislators have given him no choice but to make deep cuts.

“We did not pass the budget with the assumption that it would require layoffs and closures, that’s for certain,” said Sullivan, D-Rushville.

* And not everybody is convinced that Quinn’s threats are completely real. The governor’s credibility being what it is, many have their doubts. For instance…

“That number, I’m sure, is inflated for dramatic affect by the governor,” said State Sen. Matt Murphy (R-Palatine). “What he may be trying to do here is use political pressure to get more support for his $9 billion borrowing plan, which we think is unconscionable.”

Ouch…

“These latest announcements are in the same spirit of former Governor Blagojevich — float some scary scenarios without many details, then take them off the table before they even get any air,” [Sara Wojcicki, spokeswoman for House Minority Leader Tom Cross] said.

* Sen. Bill Brady laid out why so few trust Quinn’s word…

“Once again, Gov. Quinn is betraying the citizens of Illinois and proving that his word is suspect,” Brady said in a prepared statement. “First, he promises to veto any tax hike that raises the income tax more than 33 percent, and he signs a tax increase double the size. He promises in a campaign deal there will be no layoffs or closure of any state facilities, and now we see that he is going back on that agreement with the state’s largest public sector union. He is using state employees as pawns in this political game.”

* So, now what? Some Republicans are open to using “excess” state revenues to keep the facilities open and prevent layoffs, even though the House Speaker and the House GOP Leader have decreed that those revenues should be targeted at overdue state bills…

[Rep. Jim Watson (R-Jacksonville)] said he might be open to using excess revenue to keep facilities open.

“I don’t have a hard-line thing,” he said.

Sen. Larry Bomke, R-Springfield, said Quinn is probably just setting the stage for a vote during the veto session to spend more money.

“He’s right, there isn’t enough money in the budget. I would consider it, but I would want to know what revenue looks like at that point,” Bomke said.

Both of those Republican legislators have lots of state workers in their districts, of course. Democratic state Sen. Mike Jacobs said those districts ought to be targeted…

State Sen. Mike Jacobs, D-East Moline, suggested that Quinn, a Democrat from Chicago, shutter facilities in districts held by GOP lawmakers.

“I would hope that the governor would look at things like who has supported him on key issues,” Jacobs said.

…Adding… I forgot to post this earlier, but it’s well worth a watch. Sens. Donne Trotter and Kirk Dillard were on Chicago Tonight last night to discuss this topic…