By The Associated Press

SPRINGFIELD - Gov. Pat Quinn is set to deliver his annual State of the State address with a focus on the state's dire financial problems and anti-corruption efforts since he took office.

The speech before lawmakers in Springfield on Wednesday is the Chicago Democrat's best chance to boast of his accomplishments and set the stage for his budget address in the coming weeks.

He's also expected to ask lawmakers to legalize online voter registration and switch Illinois to an open primary during elections.

House Republicans said they'd like to hear Quinn talk about ways to grow the economy, protect hard working taxpayers, and safeguard services for the state's most vulnerable people.

Quinn has made overhauling Illinois' massively underfunded pension system his top priority for the past year. He's expected to talk about it.

Lawmakers haven't agreed on a plan to address the state's nearly $100 billion pension problem despite Quinn's efforts.

Quinn has said he'll also talk about how state government has improved when it comes to ethics. Both of Quinn's predecessors went to jail on corruption convictions.