Yesterday, we offered a glimpse of what's in store for lawmakers when they reconvene next week to hash out a state budget deal. The state's spending plan, however, isn't the only issue left on the docket. Both chambers still have some important bills to consider and Gov. Pat Quinn has to decide whether or not to sign some of the big-ticket items that the General Assembly has already passed. Here are a few things to keep an eye on:

The House

While the lower chamber's schedule will be jammed with budget bills, there still should be time to debate two controversial measures that primarily impact seniors. The first (HB 4623) would limit free transit rides to elderly couples with a combined income lower than $55,000 per year. (Those who earn more would ride for half-price under federal law.) The bill, which unanimously passed the Senate, would save the Regional Transit Authority an estimated $35 million per year and would sunset after two years. The second (SB 1381) would create a pilot program for the legalization of medical marijuana. Rep. Lou Lang (D-Chicago), the measure's chief sponsor, says he is two votes shy of a a majority. Let the whipping begin!

A few progressive bills are still pending in the House, as well. After passing the Senate 58-1, a major reform to the state's 2005 Payday Loan Reform Act (HB 537) is now waiting to move in the House Executive Committee. After years of intense negotiations, consumer advocates have struck a reasonable deal with two major installment loan trade associations that should protect borrowers against the worst abuses of the industry. Read more about it here.

Lawmakers still have to decide whether or not to take up a measure Gov. Pat Quinn unveiled early this month (SB 240, House Amendment 1) that would allow Illinois to capture $200 million in federal funds to expand the state’s pool for high-risk health insurance. We explained the basics of this issue here. Because only people who have been uninsured for six months are eligible for the assistance under the new federal health care bill, there is some legitimate concern among health care advocates that folks currently enrolled in Illinois' pool aren't getting a fair shake. Still, this bill makes sense from an administrative angle and would provide coverage to thousands of individuals shut out of the private market because of preexisting conditions.

The Senate

The STAR bonds bill (SB 2093), which could devastate the state's sales tax base, still requires a concurrence vote in the upper chamber. The Belleville News-Democrat explains in detail how the authors' define an "eligible area." What they omit is any mention of the fiscal note the Department of Revenue attached to the bill, which estimates that the project would drain between $287.5 million and $437.5 million in future sales tax revenue from the state's coffers over the next two decades. The Peoria Journal Star editorialized against the bill last week. They make a smart case.

Environmentalists have not been treated very well by the Senate this session. Still, advocates are holding out hope that lawmakers will move forward on legislation (SB 3750) prohibiting the sale of baby bottles, sippy cups, and other reusable food containers for children under age 3 that contain Bisphenol-A. Exposure to that toxic chemical, even in low doses, has been linked to illnesses like breast and prostate cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. And a new study released today by Illinois PIRG shows that BPA lines the inside of most canned foods in North America. Will the chemical industry keep the legislation bottled up?

Gov. Quinn's 10-day sales tax holiday (SB 3658), which would save parents shopping for school supplies and clothes in August, passed the House by 14 votes. If the Senate Democrats usher it through, they must find a way to cover loss in revenue Illinois would experience, estimated at $20 million to $50 million.

Lastly, negotiations to trim pension benefit packages for future firefighters and police officers (HB 5873) -- who were exempted from the pension cuts shoved through the General Assembly in March -- seem to have come to a screeching halt. State Sen. Terry Link (D-Waukegan) inserted a provision into the legislation that would allow the state to take tax money it owes to municipalities and redirect it into the police and fire pension funds if those localities didn't make full payments. The irony of the state mandating that localities make timely pension payments was not lost on municipal leaders, who walked away from the table. The State Journal-Register's editorial board offers some advice here on ways to improve the current bill.

Gov. Quinn

Of the major reforms that have already sailed through both chambers, Gov. Quinn is most supportive of the nursing home reform package (SB 326), which rightfully won the praise of unions and senior advocates. He will sign that quickly once it gets to his desk.

Expect the governor to take more time mulling over the two other big-ticket items -- a rewrite of the state's telecommunications laws (SB 107) and an overhaul of the governance structure at the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (known as "McPier"), which operates McCormick Place and Navy Pier in Chicago. We've already reported that the Citizen Utility Board is urging an amendatory veto of the telecom bill. Given Quinn's history with that organization, he may heed their advise.

The future of the McPier bill is even less secure. Multiple reports suggest that Quinn is frustrated that the legislation strips his office of the responsibility of appointing a CEO to the public body. The bill also names former McPier chief Jim Reilly a temporary "trustee" of the convention center. That's problematic because Reilly, who was instrumental in writing the bill, has previously consulted for two massive contractors. Unions already get squeezed by this deal and Quinn is concerned that they might get the short end of the stick under Reilly's leadership.