If you could live anywhere, where would it be? Half of Illinois residents told Gallup pollsters: Not in this state. They said that if they could leave, they would.
That gives Illinois the dubious distinction of being the most undesirable locale in the nation. If it were an isolated result, it wouldn't be that big a deal. But it fits right in with most other polls, surveys and rankings – on everything from the jobless rate to public pension funding to workers' comp – that show Illinois as one of the most undesirable spots to live and do business.
Instead of being known as the Land of Lincoln, we are now the undisputed armpit of America.
If finding a solution were only as simple as defining the problem. The shortsighted Democrats have a power lock on Springfield, and have gerrymandered legislative districts to protect incumbents. And so they ignore the red flags like this poll and continue to conduct business as usual without fear of getting voted out of office.
Even Gov. Pat Quinn has a good shot at re-election, even though he wants to make higher taxes permanent and just had records about a costly, ineffective, anti-crime program subpoenaed by prosecutors.
They say people get the government they deserve, but Illinois residents deserve better than this.