By Jacque Day
Illinois – Illinois Governor Pat Quinn has filed a federal funding application that could save 5,700 teaching jobs in the state. The Education Jobs Grant would give Illinois access to $415 million in education funding from a $26 billion aid package that President Barack Obama signed into law last week. The funds will give school districts the ability to hire back teachers who have been laid off. They can also retain current teachers and hire new teachers. The governor says Illinois could have the money in a matter of weeks.