Illinois, a very "Blue" state, controlled by the Democrats, is billions of dollars in the hole, budget-wise. This is not just the result of a couple of years of unwise budgeting, it's the result, in large part, of endemic corruption.

Really? I wouldn't instead have something to do with the fact that Illinois, Michigan, Ohio and Indiana are all solidly in the rustbelt which has been losing jobs due to globalization.. nah...