Advance Illinois report calls for higher bar for students, teachers and principals NOTE: Recommendations available at www.advanceillinois.org CHICAGO, June 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Advance Illinois, the education reform group co-chaired by former Illinois Governor Jim Edgar and former Secretary of Commerce William Daley, today issued recommendations for radical reform of the state's education system to dramatically raise the bar for Illinois schools and reverse an alarming decline in student performance. "The need has never been more acute, as our student achievement is slipping dangerously," said Robin Steans, Advance Illinois executive director.

By Scott Richardson Not so long ago in a land not so far away, wildlife biologists and natural resource managers worked together so well the prestigious publication Science Magazine noted their efforts. The year was 2000.

By Kathie Durbin, The Columbian, Vancouver, Wash. Feb. 14--Tim Probst, chief executive officer of the Washington Workforce Association and a Democratic Party activist, is running to unseat Rep. Jim Dunn in the 17th Legislative District this November.

By John Patterson Daily Herald State Government Editor SPRINGFIELD - Taken at face value, Gov.

By Maura Possley, Chicago Tribune Mar. 16--SPRINGFIELD -- The Senate on Wednesday approved Charles Box as Illinois Commerce Commission chairman amid outcry from Republicans who said Gov. Rod Blagojevich was more than a year late in seeking the confirmation of numerous Cabinet officials.