* 1:36 pm - The governor has been meeting privately with House Democrats for the past few hours. I’ve gotten some text messages from inside saying it’s been either mostly worthless or informative, depending on the person, but hasn’t yet changed many minds. Rep. John Fritchey posted this on his Facebook page about an hour ago…

Apparently, caucus is a Latin word meaning ‘drawn-out meeting that sheds little new light on anything’.

Rep. Mike Zaleswki Tweeted once…

One hour into what seems like a 3 hour seminar in state finances. Very thorough questions being asked.

One of my interns says Speaker Madigan will be escorted back to his office by the guards to keep everybody away. [UPDATE from Steve Brown in comments: Intern blew it Madigan walked out of meeting and to the 3rd floor session will start shortly.] They’ve already set up a rope to keep people (including reporters) back.

* Over in the Senate, some Democrats are sniping at each other, according to a Tweet from Melissa Hahn…

A couple of Senate Democrats are getting testy with each other, refusing to vote for each other’s bills because of “no” votes last night.

FYI, Sens. Garrett, Kotowski, Noland and Steans were the most frequent “No” votes last night on the budget plan.

* Several human service advocates, unions, etc. are asking their members and friends to call a toll-free hotline to urge their legislators to “keep state services alive.” Not sure yet if it’s creating lots of calls, but it didn’t have an impact on the Senate yesterday.

*** UPDATE 1 - 2:40 pm *** The IEA is liveTweeting the House debate on the pension borrowing plan…

[Democratic Rep. Jack Franks] says he won’t support. Not “voodoo” economics but “Alice in Wonderland” economics. Should be cutting, zero-based budget.

Kristina Rasmussen is also live-Tweeting.

*** UPDATE 2 - 2:44 pm *** In non-budget news, the House has passed Speaker Madigan’s foreclosure package.

*** UPDATE 3 - 2:47 pm *** Rep. Ron Stephens predicted a “revolution” if the borrowing continues and blamed the House Speaker for everything that has happened over the last 40 years…

Mike Madigan and his failed policies are what have taken this state to the brink of disaster. Molotov cocktails in the streets of Chicago is what will happen next. Greece will fail! Illinois will fail!

…Adding… This comparison to Greece is ridiculous, by the way, and Stephens and others who have used it ought to be called out. Greece’s 2008 GDP was $343 billion. Its external debt was $552.8 billion as of last June. Illinois’ GSP (Gross State Product) is $633.7 billion. Its total debt is about $140 billion.

*** UPDATE 4 - 3:10 pm *** Gov. Quinn talked to the media after the House Democratic caucus. Part 1…

Part 2…

*** UPDATE 5 - 3:26 pm *** As expected, the pension bond plan went down in flames, 59-57-1. Also, Rep. Franks told the Daily Herald that the rest of the package may go down…

Emerging from a closed-door meeting with Gov. Pat Quinn this afternoon, suburban Democrats predicted their session would not end tonight, signaling their unhappiness with how negotiations have been handled and the lack of spending details.

“It could be a long month,” said state Rep. Jack Franks, a Marengo Democrat.

Franks said the Illinois House will again vote on borrowing to make a pension payment, consider a budget plan that cuts $3.8 billion in spending and debate a proposal giving the governor broad power to tap special state accounts for cash and other sweeping authority to manage state finances.

Based on rank-and-file sentiment and head counts in the closed-door meetings, Franks said all three plans will likely be voted down, a move that would prolong budget talks and force lawmakers back to the drawing board. They had planned to adjourn today.

*** UPDATE 6 - 3:39 pm *** The amendment up now in the House includes budget cuts.

*** UPDATE 7 - 3:42 pm *** The amendment failed with just 15 votes. Oof. Afterwards, Madigan announced “There’s more time people… get your amendments [containing cuts] filed.” Madigan said during closing that he would “entertain” amendments containing budget cuts from all comers.

Rep. Black said the Republicans would begin drafting budget-cutting amendments post haste.

*** UPDATE 8 - 3:53 pm *** Watch Speaker Madigan narrowly miss joining the infamous Century Club…

*** UPDATE 9 - 4:29 pm *** Rep. Jay Hoffman unloaded on the Republicans this afternoon during the pension bond debate. Watch…