SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP)—Gov. Jim Edgar’s special legislative session to help bail out Chicago schools from a sea of red ink is far from assured of smooth sailing, lawmakers say.

In ordering the Legislature into session, the governor said he and Chicago Mayor Richard Daley have agreed on a $300 million plan that relies on no state money but requires some changes in state law.

Among them is state permission for Chicago schools to use local revenue sources to support the borrowing that will provide the immediate money needed to open their doors on time Sept. 8.

Some lawmakers are cautious of the proposal, arguing that Chicago is important to Illinois’ economy and that even lawmakers from other cities should worry about the effects of bonding on Chicago’s fiscal health.

‘‘I think most legislators don’t feel it’s good public policy to bond for ongoing costs,’‘ said Sen. Denny Jacobs, D-East Moline. ‘‘It mortgages the future of the kids going to school and their kids.’‘

Others suggest the session could turn into a bidding war for votes, with downstate lawmakers insisting on something in return for support of special legislation for Chicago.

Danville Rep. Bill Black said some lawmakers could want support for bonding of local civic center projects or flood-relief projects.

‘‘This thing could turn out to be a tobacco auction,’‘ said the House Republican floor leader.

‘‘If downstate schools see it as special legislation, it’s going to put some of us in a difficult position. Everybody has school systems, and most of us have school systems wrestling with debt.’‘

Even Rep. Art Turner, whose Chicago district would be hurt by the closing of city schools, said he wants to know how realistic the revenue projections are for the bond-financing plan.

The House deputy majority leader suggested some Chicago lawmakers might not have the city’s public schools as their highest priority because their own constituents are largely in parochial schools.

Edgar spokesman Michael Lawrence said the governor is ‘‘guardedly optimistic’‘ that the bailout plan for Chicago schools will meet legislative approval—without getting into unrelated issues.

‘‘I think it’d be unfortunate if this became a bartering session when the bottomline is that Chicago kids should be in school Sept. 8,’‘ he said. ‘‘That should be the overriding concern.’‘