The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) announced it will participate in a three-year, $75-million public-private partnership with five other states to develop long-term reform strategies for their lowest-performing schools. Illinois was selected to join the initiative, along with Colorado, Delaware, Louisiana, Massachusetts and New York by Mass Insight Education and Research Institute, a Boston-based non-profit education organization focused on closing achievement gaps. "We’re excited to work with these states and Mass Insight to identify and implement new strategies to turn around struggling schools," said State Superintendent of Education Christopher A. Koch. "This initiative, funded by an unprecedented amount of federal dollars and private donations, calls for dramatic broad-scale interventions." Announced February 2nd, 2010, the Partnership Zone Initiative will be funded by a variety of private and public sources, including increased federal funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Additional money for these six states could also be awarded through the federal Race to the Top competitive grant program.

Lakeview Museum presents the computer art exhibit, 'Electric Paint' beginning Saturday, January 30th to Sunday, March 28th, 2010. With advances in personal computing and increasingly sophisticated software, a new breed of artist has emerged who is creating dynamic forms of visual expression. Thanks to computers, advanced software and the power of the Internet, these artists are able to share their work and ideas with their peers as well as with varied audiences around the world in mere seconds. Electric Paint: The Computer as 21st Century Canvas, an exhibition organized by Woodson Art Museum in Wausau, WI, brings together 70 works by 22 international artists to shed light on the phenomenon of computer- generated art found on web pages, galleries, and virtual museums worldwide. Their work comprises altered photographs, free-hand painting with a mouse or graphics tablet, and fractals derived from the input of mathematical formulas resulting in fantastical portraits and landscapes that alter our sense of reality. The exhibition also includes digital video and paintings.

Identity theft is on the rise, as approximately 10 million Americans fell victim last year. While nothing can guarantee you won't become a victim yourself, there are many ways to minimize risk. "No matter if you're shopping, drawing money from the bank, or simply taking out your trash, it's important to take precautionary actions," says Dr. Nelson Ludlow, CEO of Intellicheck Mobilisa, a developer of wireless security and identity systems for the government, military and commercial markets. Ludlow's Defense ID System has scanned millions of IDs, identifying over ten thousand criminals and suspects with zero false positives. "Remember, people aren't always who they say they are, both online and in the physical world," he adds, noting identity fraud more often occurs in person than online. With this in mind here are some tips from the experts at Intellicheck Mobilisa on safeguarding your identity: