Monday, December 23, 2024

Now in its 206th year: Combating corruption in Illinois

 
Headline:  Chicago Tribune "Daywatch" email

From the intro to Chicago Tribune's "Culture of Corruption" series:
What makes Illinois so corrupt? In the coming weeks and months, the Tribune will explore and attempt to explain why corruption continues to poison virtually every level of government in our state, draining off tax dollars and robbing public service of its meaning. 
The reasons are many, the Tribune found, beginning with the ambition and greed brought here by many of Illinois’ first European settlers. But numerous other factors contribute to Illinois’ shameful record: Loosely regulated big-money campaigns. Domineering mayors letting shifty aldermen run amok. Cozy interactions between lobbyists and public officials. A ballot process power brokers often use to exclude newcomers. The largest number of governmental bodies in the nation, offering endless opportunities for graft amid little oversight.

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