Put Illinois To Work is a stimulus program that gives private employers subsidies to hire (for $10-per-hour) Illinoisans eligible for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.  And so far, it appears to be working splendidly.  But unless the U.S. Senate extends the underlying funding stream for the program, state officials will be forced eliminate it on September 30. 

On the White House blog yesterday, Jared Bernstein -- the Chief Economic Advisor to Vice President Joe Biden -- asked Congress to keep the TANF program afloat, citing Illinois' success as an example.  Check out his full argument here.