Billions in stimulus cash for Illinois, but jobs harder to quantify

The Chicago Tribune reports:

The first financial report detailing federal stimulus spending for Illinois is in, detailing more than $6.4 billion given to 6,100-plus recipients.

The beneficiaries include major research universities and public housing, cities with worn-out roads and unincorporated towns seeking cleaner water.

The money overhauled CTA stations and underwrote a study of artificial hips. It let a Peoria health clinic keep a bilingual receptionist and hire a medical records clerk.

And it kept three actors working at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater at Navy Pier.