SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Top lawmakers in Illinois say they’ve reached a compromise that sets the stage for another vote on a plan that gives tax breaks to The CME Group, Inc. and Sears Holdings.

The deal is designed mainly to keep the companies, including the Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), from moving their headquarters out of state. A plan at the end of November that included the tax breaks as well as other measures aimed at easing the tax burden on low- to moderate-income families passed the state Senate.

But the bill failed in the House largely because Republicans said they couldn’t support an expansion of the earned income tax credit without having a way identified to cover the funding loss.

House Republican Leader Tom Cross (Plainfield) said late last week the compromise deal allows for separate votes on the corporate tax breaks and for the earned income tax credit proposal.

“This package will allow businesses to plan on longer-term research and development and the ability to carry their losses forward in a tough economy. It will also lessen the tax burden on our family farmers and small businesses,” Cross said in a statement.

Cross and Rep. John Bradley (Marion), the House Democrat who chairs that chamber’s Revenue Committee, negotiated the framework of the new deal during the past week.

“It’s been a process of explaining what’s trying to be done here and trying to really work together in a bipartisan way to get something done, not just for the large corporations, but for the middle class and for working folks,” Bradley said. “I think obviously we’re a long ways from where we were a week ago.”

A Cross spokeswoman said at least 30 Republicans will vote in favor of the business breaks, but the chamber’s party members are not committed to the earned income tax credit expansion if a way to cover the lost money isn’t found.

Driving the issue all year has been the increase in the state’s corporate tax rate, to 7 percent from 4.8 percent, that began Jan. 1. CME and CBOE leaders argued for breaks because most of the trades that occur at the exchanges begin out-of-state. Until a change is made, every trade now is subject to the tax.

The business breaks are estimated to cost approximately $210 million a year; it swells to about $350 million with individual breaks included. Sears, based in suburban Chicago, would receive tax credits worth $15 million over 10 years under the plan.

Other components of the business breaks include a five-year extension of the state’s research and development tax credit, something that Peoria-based Caterpillar pushed hard to include in any package.

Also included is an increase in the state’s estate tax exemption to $4 million, up from $2 million, a provision Cross noted should help farm families throughout the state.

House members were expected to vote on the new plan Monday, with the Senate following suit yesterday.