In an order filed Wednesday, lawyers on both sides were told to have their arguments ready for next week.
On Monday, a formal ruling brought the fight over the referendum to a higher court.
The referendum asks voters to change the "real estate transfer tax" on home sales more than a million dollars.
A lower court judge ruled the question on the ballot vague and unconstitutional last week.
The City of Chicago and the Chicago Board of Elections hope to have a ruling prior to the primary election on March 19.
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