What do you want to bet that the phonecall has already been made? Considering that the guv has packed that Board with his minions, this press release is most likely just a formality. (From a press release, so no link)

Gov. Rod Blagojevich today called on the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) to renew funding for ten educational programs that serve more than 400 high school dropouts. The consortium of providers, which received grants from the State Board for almost two decades, lost its funding for Fiscal Year 2005 when the former State Board failed to renew its grant.

The providers have demonstrated success in serving this student population, graduating more than 4,200 former dropouts. These programs provide full-service education to high school dropouts, which typically include preparing for the GED exam as well as gaining skills for career and college readiness. The failure to renew the grant, which occurred prior to the Governor’s appointment of seven new members to the State Board, is jeopardizing services to more than 400 dropouts in the Chicago area.

“We need to give people a brighter future and a chance to reach their full potential, whether that’s landing a good job or going on to college,” said Gov. Blagojevich. “These programs can help people achieve these goals. I call on the State Board of Education to take swift action to ensure that these kids don’t lose services this year.”