Illinois lawmakers face key deadline in battle for the Bears as legislative session ends Sunday

CHICAGO (WLS) -- State lawmakers are heading down to the wire to pass a budget and many other pieces of legislation, including a bill that could keep the Chicago Bears in Illinois.

The legislative session wraps up on Sunday night. On Saturday, there are signs of progress.

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There are indications that budget package could come up for a vote late Saturday in the Senate and then get sent over to the House. Both Democrats and Republicans say a lot of progress has been made. But regarding the so-called "mega-projects" bill aimed at keeping the Bears in Illinois, it appears, there is a lot more work to do, without much time left.

The Illinois Senate was back in session on Saturday afternoon. Their counterparts in the House will gavel in soon for the final push for passage of a series of bills, first and foremost the budget.

"We have the broad contours of an agreement. We're still negotiating some final pieces, but our staff is hold away drafting the language to put together and release to the public, so that we can all get this budget reviewed and passed," said budgeteer and Illinois state Rep. Will Guzzardi, D-Chicago.

On Saturday afternoon, groups, including the Chicago Teachers Union, rallied in the rotunda, pushing for progressive revenue. Democratic lawmakers say a digital tax on social media companies is gaining broad support as Illinois seeks to make up for lost federal funding.

"I really firmly believe that we have to ask the wealthiest people and the most profitable corporations to pay their fair share to the state to help fund that, and I think our budget will reflect those values," Guzzardi said.

Also high on the final hours-agenda is legislation that would allow the Bears to stay in Illinois through a "mega-projects" bill that would allow the team to negotiate special payments in lieu of property taxes on a new stadium that the team wants to build in Arlington Heights. The terms of that bill are being worked on in the Senate.

"So, they're doing that right now with our proposal. They're having other conversations about what another proposal may look like. So, I don't know exactly what we're going to get back from them, but they're able to come to a consensus on something. We'll be ready to take up that measure here on this side," said lead Bears negotiator and Illinois state Rep. Kam Buckner, D-Chicago.

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker has held several meetings with Democratic leaders, discussing priorities for the waning hours of this session on Saturday. He has repeatedly said he wants to keep the Bears in Illinois, and the team has made it clear the only location under consideration is Arlington Heights. But some Republicans wonder if the governor should be more involved in making a deal happen for the Bears.

"I'm not so sure the governor's team is putting their full weight and power of the governor's office behind. Having been here six years, when the governor office wants something, there's a whole different tone. There's a whole different approach," said Illinois state Sen. Seth Lewis, R-DuPage and Cook counties.

ABC7 is expecting a late Saturday night. The state Senate is expected to be in session until midnight or later if needed. The state House, which was slated to start within the 5 p.m. hour, has not set an ending time.