* Potential Democratic US Senate candidate Chris Kennedy just called and said it was “physically impossible” for him to make any announcement about his US Senate race this week. Apparently, others are jumping the gun here.

Also, a widespread rumor that Kennedy would announce tomorrow via online video is false, Kennedy claimed.

* Senate President John Cullerton was just asked about what happened in today’s leaders meeting with the governor. His answer? “We talked about Capitol Fax.” lol [Audio via Dave at IRN. Thanks much.]

* House Speaker Michael Madigan was also asked about progress at the meeting. “Nothing’s decided,” he said. Asked whether that was good or bad, Madigan said, “You tell me.” Video via Patterson…

* The infamous Grover Norquist was at the Statehouse today to talk about the budget…

Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform, said the state’s shortfall results from politicians’ over-spending and financial mismanagement and isn’t taxpayers’ problem to solve - it’s lawmakers’ responsibility.

Maybe not. From a recent study…

• Spending growth: Elementary-secondary education and medical assistance are the only major program areas that have seen significant spending growth since FY 2000. Over the same period of time, funding for human services, higher education, and most other parts of the General Funds budget has not kept pace with inflation. […]

• Understanding the deficit: Almost 60 percent of the $12.3 billion budget gap reflects declining revenues caused by the recession. Most of the remainder is related to the structural deficit — increased payments for state retirement systems and the backlog of unpaid Medicaid bills.

* Thanks to a commenter, here are a couple of quotes we missed earlier today…

Patrick Collins, head of the reform commission, took umbrage when the senate committee rejected the commission”s proposals but unanimously approved of a reform measure sponsored by state Sen. Dan Kotowski, D-Park Ridge.

“I asked my commissioners to change their lives to engage in this process for 100 days. I am not going to participate in a process like the one that happened in there. If any of you think that”s a fair process, that”s wrong,” Collins said.

A committee killed some bills that a large number of people worked months or even years to pass because they believed the measures were vitally important to the state’s future. Happens every day. Literally.

Sen. Mike Jacobs (D-East Moline) responded…

“All I can say is ‘Waah waah waah, I want my Mommy,’” Jacobs jokingly sobbed.

“For him to think that we should drop whatever we”re doing to make sure he gets whatever he wants is amazing. Patrick Collins ought to learn that this is a give-and-take process. You just don”t get whatever you want.”

Yowza, man. Everybody really needs to take a breath here.