SPRINGFIELD - State Rep. Chapin Rose drew chuckles last spring when he said the legislative session would not end until September.

Now, as the Illinois General Assembly heads into the Christmas shopping season with major issues still unresolved, Rose has adjusted his prediction:

"I could easily see this thing go on for an eternity," the Mahomet Republican said.

As the General Assembly returns to action Wednesday to deal with a financial bailout of Chicago-area public transit systems, observers say the lack of agreement on other top issues makes it a virtual certainty that the already record-setting overtime session will drag into December, and perhaps beyond.

Along with the mass transit funding, lawmakers are pressing for passage of a statewide construction program. But, there remains no consensus on how to pay for either of those proposals.

On Monday, House Speaker Michael Madigan signaled his support for a compromise mass transit funding package that would use gasoline tax revenues generated in Chicago and its suburbs. The plan has the backing of Gov. Rod Blagojevich and House Minority Leader Tom Cross, R-Oswego.

But, its prospects in the Senate remain dim, with a bloc of downstate lawmakers pledging to reject the bailout if a separate statewide construction program isn't put on the table.

"I refuse to support one without the other. We need jobs. We need to fix our crumbling schools and bridges," said Senate Majority Leader Debbie Halvorson, D-Crete, who is running for a seat in Congress.

"With all due respect, I understand the importance of mass transit and I support it, but not without a capital bill," said Halvorson.

Despite the pessimism that both mass transit and a construction plan could be quickly dealt with, the governor's office suggested an end could be nearer than anyone expects.

"We are hopeful we can get both accomplished," said Blagojevich spokeswoman Rebecca Rausch.