Ill. leaders applaud Senate vote on state funds

SPRINGFIELD -- Illinois got some good financial news when the U.S. Senate approved billions of dollars in aid for schools and Medicaid.

Now the question is whether the U.S. House will approve the money.

Gov. Pat Quinn said Thursday that Illinois stands to get $400 million that can be used to hire teachers. An additional $500 million would go to the Medicaid health program.

Quinn calls the money "vital."

The Illinois Hospital Association says it's key to the state's economy.

The money is already built into state spending, so federal approval won't do much to reduce Illinois' budget crisis. But losing it would be another major blow to the state.

Even if the money is approved, it's roughly $250 million less than Illinois officials had expected.