The future of the Belvidere Chrysler Plant and our local economy is heavily relying on a vote taking place right now at the Coronado Theater.

Chrysler's UAW workers have until tonight to vote on a package that will help the company run more efficiently. So far, the reaction here has been incredibly positive. With many workers saying the plan is not nearly as drastic as they expected.

"I'm satisfied with what's going on you know we gotta give to survive, so you know I'm just happy that I got a job," says Chrysler worker Emery Golden.

"It's fair, for the situation it's fair," says Chrysler worker Kerry Menosky.

Most Belvidere Chrysler employees haven't worked a regular schedule in about five months. But still, workers like Monica Berns are dedicated and willing to take concessions in order to prevent the automaker and suppliers from going under.

"I think it's a good package, it keeps jobs here, it's what we need," Berns says.

The stakes of this vote are huge, Chrysler has until tomorrow to prove to Washington it could survive without any more bailout money, paving the way for an alliance with Italian automaker Fiat. In order for that to happen, UAW workers must agree to a few stipulations.

"They're gonna force us to take our vacations on the shutdowns for the June or July whatever," says Chrysler worker Ryan Hartwell.

Golden says, "We're gonna lose our Christmas bonus, our performance bonus in September, i think they're like taking away two weeks of vacation."

Menosky says, "There was something in there for retirees as far as dental and eye care being taken away don't agree with that, I would rather see us take a cut in pay to keep them there because they don't have the ability to go out and go work, they're retired, they're old."

Workers say their pay and health care benefits will remain the same. with no standard cost of living raises. And just like in many industries, they'll be expected to wear more than one hat.

When asked if he expects the vote to be approved, Menosky replies, "Yeah, I do because the alternative isn't very good."

That alternative he's talking about is the company being dismantled. Which would mean massive job loss to the region. About 24-hundred people work for the Belvidere Chrysler Plant. And without those jobs, the Stateline would have well beyond the highest unemployment rate in Illinois.

Voting started at nine this morning and ends at 6:30. We're expecting to speak with the UAW President once all of the votes are tallied, just in time for the 23 News Update at Ten.