Legislation to restore salaries for regional school superintendents after they were wiped out by Gov. Pat Quinn has failed in the Illinois House.
The vote Thursday was 59 to 55, but lawmakers can vote again later.
A House Committee had approved the legislation on Tuesday.
Quinn eliminated the money for the superintendents and their assistants in July because he says the state can't afford the $11 million. He wants local governments to pay from an alternative fund. The legislation lawmakers rejected would have done that.
Some lawmakers say the regional school officials should be paid, others question the need for the offices.
Illinois has 44 regional offices of education. Their responsibilities range from inspecting school buildings to certifying teachers to running GED programs.
