The Chicago Tribune has an editorial on that ultra-sleazy place called Illinois:
In December, Democrats who control the Illinois legislature were back on their heels. In a weak moment, they even proposed a special election -- yes, a vote of the people! -- to select a new U.S. senator. The arrest of a Democratic governor and the resulting fury had that profound an effect. Reforms to end the Illinois culture of political sleaze? Would there be reforms!Here's an in depth look at Illinois corruption by University of Illinois-Chicago.What state, in America, would have their Governor accused of having been a bookmaker for organized crime?
This is May, and the Democrats are back on their game. House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton have been oh, so publicly respectful to members of the Illinois Reform Commission. Last week, though, the commissioners experienced lots of hazing, with little but bruises to show.
Madigan and Cullerton danced commission proposals around Springfield, then slapped them down at turn after turn. On Friday, a Senate subcommittee rejected all nine anti-corruption enforcement proposals from the commission and Cook County prosecutors. "We've gone through one subject area," commission head Patrick Collins fumed, "and we've lost everything." He was told he could come back Thursday -- to argue for bills in a session scheduled to end next Sunday.
