SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois House returned to work as the General Assembly gears up for a spring session that promises a continuing struggle over how to close a $96 billion funding gap in the state's public-employee pension system.

House members were in session Wednesday but canceled today's scheduled session. The Senate returns next week and a joint session Feb. 6 will hear Gov. Pat Quinn's State of the State address.

Lawmakers were last in Springfield on Jan. 9 for the inauguration of the 98th General Assembly and met briefly the following day.