* As I told you yesterday, the Senate is coming back to town next week to take up a transit bill and a capital projects proposal. The Pantagraph starts out our coverage…

The General Assembly’s record-breaking overtime session will carry into another week when members of the Illinois Senate convene Monday.

Just a day after the Illinois House rejected a plan to pump millions of dollars into mass transit programs serving commuters in the Chicago region, Senate leaders announced they would descend on the Capitol to try their hand at a solution that also could include a multi-billion dollar statewide road and school construction program.

* The capital plan would be funded with three new casinos. Despite what a few reported, the mass transit bailout would still be funded the same way as the House proposed…

The Senate plan would call for a quarter-cent sales-tax increase in Cook County, a half-cent increase in the collar counties to support transportation and transit, and a provision that would let Chicago increase its real estate transfer tax, said Senate Majority Leader Debbie Halvorson (D-Crete).

* And…

In addition, existing casinos like the Grand Victoria in Elgin would be given the chance to expand by buying the rights to more slot machines and table games.

* But both proposals face uncertain futures…

Although the ruling Senate Democrats say they expect Senate Republicans to support the latest deal, GOP sources said Wednesday they were unaware of details and there’d been no further conversations on the issue since Senate President Emil Jones Jr., a Chicago Democrat, declared the construction deal “dead” and blamed it all on Senate Republican leader Frank Watson of downstate Greenville.

Even if such a deal were to pass the Senate, it faces a dubious future in the Illinois House where both Republicans and Democrats alike have said there’s not enough votes to approve such a massive gambling expansion.

“I think three casinos would be very difficult,” said David Dring, spokesman for House Republican leader Tom Cross of Oswego.

* And…

House Speaker Michael Madigan has said he supports the concept of a capital bill, but has objected to expanding gambling, saying there is no support for such a step in his chamber.

* But Mayor Daley is starting to get antsy…

Blagojevich is against the [transit] funding plan because of the tax increases.

Daley insisted he is not frustrated with the governor, but “you have to make a decision,” he said.

“If he doesn’t like this, then come up with a plan. I just want to see a plan.”

* Meanwhile, the Tribune’s editorial board is blaming Tom Cross for the bill’s defeat in the House…

In blocking a transit deal for Northeast Illinois, House Republican leader Tom Cross is following a tradition, though not necessarily an honored one. He’s logrolling.

You want more money for mass transit, he was saying, you have to give me more money for roads.

Result: A bill to reform and fund the transit system — the first real overhaul in 25 years — fell 10 votes short of the 71 needed. Only five Republicans voted for it. […]

So don’t blame Blagojevich if your bus isn’t running Sept. 17. Right now Tom Cross is in the driver’s seat on this one.

* The Daily Herald’s editorial board begs to differ…

Republican lawmakers in the House who voted against the mass transit bill have different ideas on how to approach transportation funding. They agree mass transit needs a boost. But they want money for bus and rail folded into an overall transportation program that also includes funding for road improvements.

This argument is more reasonable than obstructionist. It has been a long time since the state has approved a comprehensive transportation program that addresses both transit and road improvements. Meanwhile, roads are congested and bridges are crumbling.

* And the Sun-Times edit board wants politicians to take public transit for a week…

That means you, Gov. Blagojevich. And you, House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President Emil Jones, the Chicago Democrats in charge of the Legislature. And you, Rep. Tom Cross and Sen. Frank Watson, the Republican leaders.

See what it’s like for your constituents who maybe can’t afford a car payment, insurance, a $78 state sticker, a $75 city sticker and $9 to $28 a day to park. Oh, and $3-a-gallon, taxed-to-the-hilt gasoline (the answer to so many of the state’s financial shortfalls).

Climb down out of your minivan and climb up 50 stairs to the CTA platform. Join the working people as they walk from train station to bus stop or workplace. If there’s any justice in the world, one day of your week will be windy and raining. You can practice hanging on to your briefcase and your umbrella — while the wind flips it inside-out, of course.

Huddle under a bus shelter. Look for a place to sit while you wait. Run for the bus like your life depends on it. Try arranging your life — just for one week — around a train schedule.

* More session-related stuff, compiled by Paul…

* Ginger Ostro: Inaccurate claims about governor’s budget

* Editorial: Governor’s bridge fails to cross real health care issues

* Editorial: Don’t rock the boat

* Tribune Editorial: CeaseFire’s success