"SPRINGFIELD -- When lawmakers return to Springfield this week, the General Assembly is expected to act swiftly on a bid to improve Illinois' chances of getting up to $400 million in federal funds that could prop up the state's cash-strapped education budget.
Gov. Quinn's office is working to meet a Jan. 19 deadline to apply for an initiative by President Obama's administration to award $4.35 billion to a few states for their attempts to improve education.
That still-evolving state push represents one of the likely highlights of a two-day legislative session that starts Tuesday and concludes Wednesday with Quinn's State of the State speech."
Gov. Quinn's office is working to meet a Jan. 19 deadline to apply for an initiative by President Obama's administration to award $4.35 billion to a few states for their attempts to improve education.
That still-evolving state push represents one of the likely highlights of a two-day legislative session that starts Tuesday and concludes Wednesday with Quinn's State of the State speech."