The talking points volleyed back and forth between Governor Bruce Rauner and House Speaker Mike Madigan have been repetitive at times and have left little room for optimism.

But in the days after a deal was hammered out to get state funds to cash starved Illinois colleges and universities, the forgotten word of optimism has resurfaced at the Capitol and at least for the moment, the tone has changed. In a visit to Auburn High School, Governor Rauner said he not only wants a deal on what's left of the current fiscal year but the coming months as well.

Rauner says leaderless talks among lawmakers are starting to bear fruit.

If lawmakers have to go to special session, Rauner says he'll cover the 40-thousand dollar a day tab out of his own pocket.