Illinois ranks only 18th in public corruption
December 11th, 2008 at 08:32am Pat Cunningham
A study by USA Today SHOWS that Illinois ranks only 18th among the various states in terms of public corruption, at least with respect to convictions on federal charges.
North Dakota ranks first. And Sarah Palin’s Alaska is way up there, too.
Indeed, even Alaskan voters are of dubious morality. They almost re-elected Sen. Ted Stevens last month, even after he had been convicted on corruption charges. We Illinoisans are a little more discerning.
Entry Filed under: Uncategorized
9 Comments Add your own
1. Mike Carroll | December 11th, 2008 at 8:40 am
I would not attach any relevance to that survey.Illinois politicians are probably just better at not being caught. Who is going to turn you in if everyone is playing the game?
2. snuss | December 11th, 2008 at 8:56 am
I’d give more credence to the words of the FBI investigators, than the USA Today study. But, think of it in a positive light: We’re #1!
3. Roger | December 11th, 2008 at 10:06 am
Indeed, even Alaskan voters are of dubious morality. They almost re-elected Sen. Ted Stevens last month, even after he had been convicted on corruption charges. We Illinoisans are a little more discerning. More discerning??? No we just tend to look the other way because there is no where to turn to where there is no corruption and get anything done. Anyone remember operation grey lord or ? where the cook county Judges where getting busted?
4. David Johnson | December 11th, 2008 at 10:17 am
Once again Pat you’ve made it clear that you are either so ideologically in the corner for liberals that nothing they do matters or that you are an idiot. I’m gonna go out on a limb and say you qualify equally for both categories.
5. Pat Cunningham | December 11th, 2008 at 10:40 am
David Johnson is utterly unable to specifically refute anything in this post, so he punts. Nice work, David. You’re brilliant.
6. Pat Cunningham | December 11th, 2008 at 11:49 am
OK, OK! Some of you find fault with USA Today’s methodology in determining the most corrupt states. I think per capita stats are as good as any, but vive la difference. Here’s my challenge: Show me numbers that prove that Illinois is any more corrupt than any other heavily populated state. No anecdotal stuff. Solid numbers, please.
In my experience covering politics and government at all levels in Illinois for more than 40 years, I’ve found that the vast majority of elected officials — Democrats and Republicans alike — are hardworking, honest and honorable people. I’ve disagreed with some of these people with respect to their political positions, but that has had nothing to do with their integrity.
Sure, I’ve covered more than a few political crooks and grafters, but they’ve been a tiny minority.
Anyway, don’t tell me that Illinois is more corrupt than any other big state unless you can prove it. And don’t tell me that Chicago is more corrupt than any other big city unless you can prove it.
I’m guessing you can’t. Prove me wrong.
7. Mike Carroll | December 11th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
Pat-name a state where 4 of the last 8 Governors have been imprisoned as a result of their time in office. And yes, I am counting Blago as 1 of the 4 to do time. Clarence Darrow couldn’t get this clown off the hook.
8. Pat Cunningham | December 11th, 2008 at 12:49 pm
Mike Carroll: Dan Walker’s crimes were committed after he left office and had nothing to do with his tenure as governor.
9. Mike Carroll | December 11th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
Pat-Thanks for the correction. I was still a innocent living in Wisconsin at the time.
Leave a Comment
Some HTML allowed:
<a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <code> <em> <i> <strike> <strong>
Trackback this post | Subscribe to the comments via RSS Feed