86 Comments - Rufus - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 7:12 am: “Illinois residents think they live in the worst state in the country,” Oh come on, Have you ever lived in Texas. ” Illinois residents have the least trust in their state government” Well, the people have a good point there. - Michelle Flaherty - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 7:18 am: Mission accomplished. Take a victory lap Tribune editorial board. - VanillaMan - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 7:20 am: I’ve been posting this for over ten years here on CapFax - MY PLAN IS WORKING! But hey, mock your neighbors for having these feelings, but please don’t be surprised by it. They are only reacting to the complete lack of value the State of Illinois has given it’s citizens for about twenty years. With the exception of laughing at our governors as they are convicted, sentenced and perp-walked into jails, watching our Congressmen buy moose heads or not paying child support, the people of Illinois are obviously reading the Chicago Tribune and it’s sad toll of civic government here in the Land of Lincoln. Voters want change from the dreck passing for government in Illinois. Their choice for governor is between an incompetent patronage gadfly and a guy who thinks he can turn the state around from it’s current Enron business model to Chick-fil-A. You bet Illinoisans think they live in the Land of Stinkin’! - Oswego Willy - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 7:32 am: - Rufus -, “Don’t Mess With Texas”… - K3 - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 7:35 am: Congrats to Editorial boards across the state and the Illinois Policy Institute! - Mason born - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 8:06 am: Rufus More importantly have YOU ever asked a Texan what they think of their state? Don’t you think the fact that most citizens distrust the government leads to disliking the state? Residents have some very good reasons to distrust the State Government. After all the feds bought Thompson Prison to save on transport costs for the Governors wing. - Ahoy! - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 8:07 am: Maybe the legislature will get this message? Probably not. - Give Me A Break - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 8:25 am: Standby for the Radogno, Durkin and Bruce presser. We should just all move to Mississippi and live the high life. - Zoom - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 8:27 am: The weather alone makes me desperate to leave here. - titan - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 8:37 am: Well, one of the 50 states’ residents do actually live in the worst one…I don’t happen to think it is Illinois though. - 47th Ward - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 8:39 am: Why does this feel like a self-fulfilling prophecy? I guess it’s easier to throw your hands up in the air and complain than to take some positive action, big or small, where you live to help make a difference. Fine, give up and accept it, or better yet, move the heck out of this hellhole. Send us a postcard when you find a place where the grass is greener, the sun is always shining, the taxes are low and the services are great, and all of the politicians are honest. I am sick of hearing how crappy everything is in Illinois. Wallowing in self-pity is so unattractive. Pack up your attitude in your U-Haul and drive away. - Walker - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 8:39 am: By any fair metric Illinois is not the “worst” state in any area. Others around the world and country certainly do not rate us that way overall. Curious that when we had a reputation around the country for continually bragging about our state, Illinois had government corruption that makes today’s problems pale by comparison. That cheerleading was led by the business community. But perception is reality, and the messengers of doom can prevail in the public mind and win elections. - Walker - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 8:43 am: BTW If you’ll read it again, just 25% said we were the “worst state to live in.” But that doesn’t make a good headline or lede. - Anonymous - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 8:52 am: Well, it’s a mobile society. Yes, VMan, you have been complaining about your eternal victimhood for over 10 years. What are you scared of? Make a move. - Formerly Known As... - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 8:59 am: Those thoughts and feeling don’t manifest themselves out of thin air. There are valid reasons so many people feel this way, as much as some may attempt to dismiss and mock such sentiments. - Walter Mitty - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 9:01 am: Uh, so let’s blame the Tribune for this? Really? I don’t read the tribune, and no offense like someone said yesterday..it’s dying… Spin… Try to make excuses, but a lesson I learned when I was young… You can never tell anyone how they feel. Sorry gang, both parties are the reason we are in it… But when the music stops, the Dems are the Super Majority… If this does not scare PQ, it should… Average people are and have been hurting… If the ground game begins and is working hard… Rauner wins. People want change. - Formerly Known As... - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 9:06 am: From the poll Illinois has the unfortunate distinction of being the state with the highest percentage of residents who say it is the worst possible place to live. One in four Illinois residents (25%) say the state is the worst place to live, followed by 17% each in Rhode Island and Connecticut. - Oswego Willy - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 9:06 am: If enough people tell you, “you stink”, eventually, you are going to belive them. Yep. It’s one thing for Dopes like the Trib to take the role of “watchdog” and looking out for wrong, to make it right, but to take that “watchdog” responsiblity to the level of being the biggest “Cheerleader of Despair”, what have you gained in your role? Citizens fovusing more on negative than on solutions to make it better. Ten years is a long time to complain. Long time. So, things stay “worse” but you get the “glory” of claiming Illinois is the worst? Congrats to the Trib, your Dopey paper is now in the polled “worst state” and you far to wear part of that jacket too. Watchdogs strive for making things better, not at relishing pointing out the bad to exacerbate it to make what is real a perceived and false reality that lemmings take as true. Illinois v. Mississippi? Illinois crushes Mississippi. Illinois is unique, special, original, and stands as an incredible convergence of Agriculture and Metropolitan living, and being world class in both. Either have the gumption to hike up your pants, load up and get out, or get on board, less complaining, less “no”, less talking points, and much more pride of where we have been, and where we WILL go, together. - Confused - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 9:11 am: ==Illinois residents have the least trust in their state government and are one of the most resentful about how much they pay in state taxes.== Weird how they vote in response to that resentment. - Confused - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 9:12 am: Yes - and it’s a great place to live. Had a condo on North Padre Island in the 80s. I still miss it. - Cassiopeia - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 9:15 am: Unfortunately our elected leaders live in a state of denial. Pat Quinn will be 66 in December and can retire on full social security and state retirement in January when his term ends. Maybe in retirement he can ponder just how he blew it. In the meantime he is traveling around the state announcing bike paths while Illinois roads fall apart on his watch. He is clueless about what really needs to be done, not just in the basic functions of government but what it means to be a leader. - Just Observing - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 9:17 am: Why are some so quick to blame the Trib, IPI, etc. for polluting the minds of the public? Isn’t it possible that this reflects genuine sentiments of the public based on their own personal experience and views? It’s not as if Illinois is a beacon of honest, efficient government and everyone is just imagining bad government. I also don’t understand the “love it or leave it” mentality. One can’t be critical of their government or they have to pack up and leave? I think it speaks better of the person that complains (and hopefully takes action) about bad government than one that just sits silent feeling helpless. - Formerly Known As... - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 9:19 am: == Make a move == Or maybe they could… stay in the state they love and try making it a better place to live? - Grandson of Man - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 9:20 am: “I am sick of hearing how crappy everything is in Illinois. Wallowing in self-pity is so unattractive. Pack up your attitude in your U-Haul and drive away.” I agree. If you really hate it here, either try to change things or get out. Maybe without some of these people, we can get some good legislation passed, like a progressive income tax. Again, some people bring up states like Indiana and Texas as places to move, but they don’t bring up states like Maryland and Minnesota, states that have higher tax rates and lower unemployment rates–not to mention a minimum wage increase. There is some good jobs news in Illinois. The unemployment rate in Illinois decreased in many metro areas over the last year, and in one or more cases, there was a significant drop in the unemployment rate. The other good news is that the Chicago metro area is kicking the heck out of Indiana in regards to corporate investment. In one article I read, Indiana was considered somewhat of a dumping ground for lower-wage jobs, because of the tax environment. - Formerly Known As... - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 9:26 am: == Why are some so quick to blame the Trib, IPI, etc. for polluting the minds of the public? == Human nature? It is much easier to deflect and deny than admit you have a severe problem. “Unemployment is down!” “Yes, it is. We now have the 49th-worst unemployment rate in America.” - Formerly Known As... - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 9:29 am: Grandson of Man - I wrote that post before seeing yours. Just want you to know it was not directed at your comment in any way. There is cause for optimism, but all is not well. Reality is probably somewhere in between. - Mason born - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 9:38 am: Might i point out that there are folks trying to change things. See the Term limits and the Redistricting reform. You may not like the changes they want to make or the individual whose face is tied into it AKA Rauner but they are attempting to make changes. As for the newspapers and other media bad news sells. As for how they vote it’s the same problem as the national stage we all hate congress but it isn’t our legislator it’s that guys legislator. - Grandson of Man - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 9:48 am: “Grandson of Man - I wrote that post before seeing yours. Just want you to know it was not directed at your comment in any way.” Not a problem at all. Sometimes I get angry because Illinois is not more like Minnesota or other states, but it’s pointless. Illinois is what it is. It’s not Tennessee, and it’s not one of the more progressive states. We have to work with what we have. I feel more optimistic about this state than I did a year or so ago. I’m very happy with Mayor Emanuel’s approach to business in Chicago, from what I know. I read that he has a very good relationship with corporate leaders and works very hard to bring business to Chicago. That’s what I want in a leader. - stand - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 9:55 am: A more appropriate way of comparing Illinois to other states is to say this, “Illinois is the most under-performing state in the union.” Sure, there are worse places to be. But given all of Illinois’ resources we should be considered one of the best places in the U.S. - Anon - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 10:08 am: If Illinois is really so bad, why not just leave? Illinois has 232 residents per square mile, better than all but 11 states. Action > words. - wordslinger - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 10:11 am: Why do people stay some place where they’re unhappy? It’s a big country, lot of good roads. - reflector - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 10:13 am: I have lived in Illinois for 85 years except when I was in the Navy and I LIKE Illinois.I have enjoyed visiting 46 of our 50 states and 18 foreign countries but I don’t want to have my home anywhere else.Not especially proud of it but happy to be here. - Confused - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 10:15 am: ==If Illinois is really so bad, why not just leave? Illinois has 232 residents per square mile, better than all but 11 states. Action > words.== Yea, that and the other comments like it are cop-outs in their own way. It undercuts the entirely legitimate reactions many Illinois residents have to what’s going on here. Many of us have ties to this state that make it next to impossible to leave without huge costs - financial and emotional. The fact that more Illinoisans feel this way about our state than any other means something important, don’t you think? - Sir Reel - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 10:15 am: Since this is a political blog it’s not surprising that most of the comments connect Illinois’ political situation with respondents’ opinion. As someone who has lived in other states, I find Illinois’ lack of natural appeal coupled with its monotonous agriculture depressing. Of course those 2 characteristics are related. Throw in climate and that may account for the responses. - forwhatitsworth - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 10:16 am: Besides scandals and taxes, could the constant media propaganda bombardment representing the interests of the civic committee and the likes of play any role in shaping this perspective? - Soccertease - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 10:18 am: IL politics and leadership is bad but probably better than 40 years ago. I remember being at a state agency 30 years ago and handed fundraising tickets and told to sell them or buy them. IL has a lot of other assets and is not the worst place to live. I like “stand’s” observation that IL is ‘under performing’. - Hans Sanity - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 10:18 am: A one step program for Illinois residents who are down on their home state. (1) Don’t watch Rauner commercials. - Secret Square - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 10:32 am: What state is the best, worst, most free or least free probably depends on your situation and what issues or concerns are most important to you. An interesting take can be found in the biannual “Freedom in the 50 States” report put together by the Mercatus Institute of George Mason University — yes, it’s a conservative/libertarian think tank but check them out anyway: http://freedominthe50states.org/ The report includes an interactive map whereby you can see how your state ranks in a number of individual categories (taxation, fiscal policy, regulation, liability, personal freedom, etc.) The 2013 report put IL at rock bottom — #50 — for “personal freedom”, below even the ultimate nanny state of New York and the People’s Republic of California. I suspect, however, that ranking will change in future editions now that we have concealed carry, same-sex marriage and medical marijuana. But IL does rank respectably in other “freedom” categories. - Walter Mitty - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 10:33 am: I am shocked that the real issue is reality… The perception of the governing party tells us we are broke.. Surprise, the media prints it. Don’t.Shoot.The.Messenger. I know it’s confusing for folks when the same people say a day later they need 100 mil for a library..or the next say no..not all … - Knucklehead - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 10:39 am: Has it helped over the years to have the hate battle of downstate vs. Chicago? And resolutions to create a 51st state? Our elected politicians in leadership poisitions have created and nurtured our self-hate — to the point where an angry billionaire (aka Donald Trump) motivated by politically- motivated Legislators actually could be our top executive. - challengerrt - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 10:40 am: Ok, so in some minds its not the worst state, then give me some things good about it, other than plenty of freebies and welfare at the working mans expense. Thought so. And yes I am one of those people when retired will be leaving the state. I’m leaving for Tennessee. - Anon - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 10:42 am: “The fact that more Illinoisans feel this way about our state than any other means something important, don’t you think?” Actually no I don’t think it means anything other than Illinoisans like to complain. When push comes to shove they stay put, a lot of hot air. This isn’t North Korea, the last time I crossed state lines I didn’t notice any menacing guards manning checkpoints. I do think the state under performs but not for the reasons the Trib and Rauner think. If I ever bail on IL, it will be for a place like MN. - Mason born - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 10:42 am: Sir Reel What part of Il do you live in that lacks Natural Appeal?? While i grant you that out west you can get better hunting and down south you can find better fishing. However IL is no slouch and a nice combo. Once you get a way from Chicago (no slam, just well you are an urban area up there) there are a lot of natural places to enjoy. Sand Ridge State Forest 5,500+ acres of forest Jim Edgar Panther Creek 26 sq miles of forest and 335 acres of lakes. Starved Rock close to chicago A great break is Pere Marquette State Park great lodge to stay, lots of hiking, and bald eagles within 45′ drive 6 miles south and you have 4 different Wineries in Grafton. Then you have the Shawnee National Forest. Before you blast the natural attraction of our state maybe you should see some of it. - oz - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 10:54 am: wrt: “..?” Actually no I don’t think it means anything other than Illinoisans like to complain. When push comes to shove they stay put, a lot of hot air” And when was the last time you googled “Illinois population decline”? Also, wWith over 2 million residents on food stamps I think the outflow would be much faster but many taxpayers can’t afford to leave….yet, - wordslinger - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 10:59 am: –And when was the last time you googled “Illinois population decline”?– How about you? http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/17000.html - oz - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 11:00 am: I look at the Choose Chicago campaign and ask myself what would Oprah do? - oz - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 11:02 am: oh and The population of North Korea as of July 2009 was 22,665,345, with a population density of 492.4 persons per square mile - oz - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 11:06 am: –And when was the last time you googled “Illinois population decline”?– How about you? http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/17000.html The trend my friend. The trend. What are ya trying to do pull a garry mccarthy. take a statistical outlier and run around yelling crime is down? ha. - Mason born - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 11:06 am: Word In point of fact .4% is not good. Especially when you consider the natural population growth of the current residents starting families. The .4% number is pretty scary has the state down around 44th in nation. - RonOglesby - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 11:07 am: From that census page Word posted.. This tells a story: Population, percent change, April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2013 Illinois 0.4% USA 2.4% - the unknown poster - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 11:11 am: Not all is woe. We do have some of the best whitetail deer hunting land in the country. - oz - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 11:11 am: The Illinois labor force peaked at about 6.7 mil in 2008 and has been falling for the last six year. Lost over 100K people IS SPITE of the sanctuary city of Chicago and it’s influx of illegal immigrant drug cartel business - Anon - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 11:14 am: “The population of North Korea as of July 2009 was 22,665,345, with a population density of 492.4 persons per square mile” Yes and North Koreans are free to leave anytime they want! Yes, IL population is growing slowly, but IL has a mature economy, alot of the “sunbelt” states are still playing catch up from the Civil War. Mississippi was one of the wealthiest states pre-civil war. Not to mention a good portion of the sunbelt was pretty much unihabitable pre the widespread use of air conditioning. Naturally people migrated to take advantage of cheap land after modern convience (air conditioning) made it possible. The fact remains IL is 12th in population density, almost three times Texas, it must not be that bad. - Grandson of Man - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 11:15 am: One part of Illinois that I love is the near west side of Chicago, the Medical District. The United Center is a few blocks away, and it’s such a historical place already, with five world championships in the last 20 years (3 Bulls and 2 Blackhawks). There is a lot of open space in this area, in the middle of the big city, and it’s nice to look at the downtown skyscrapers that are nearby. I would like the folks who live in downstate Illinois to take a brief moment and wish the Blackhawks success tonight and in this series, against the St. Louis Blues. Thanks in advance. - Anon - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 11:17 am: “If you don’t love it, leave it” -Merle Haggard – “Fightin’ Side Of Me” - wordslinger - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 11:18 am: –take a statistical outlier and run around yelling crime is down? ha.– What’s the outlier? Crime rates have been declining across the country, including Chicago, for 20 years. http://www.thecrimereport.org/news/inside-criminal-justice/2013-08-explaining-the-us-crime-decline - RonOglesby - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 11:20 am: Your line about recovering from the civil war is not even worth arguing it is so absurd. Its like saying Britain use to rule the world through sea power and is just recovering from the loss. -The fact remains IL is 12th in population density, almost three times Texas, it must not be that bad. - HAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAA - A'mous - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 11:27 am: Yes Illinois is great Unless you have a business that is impacted by work comp regulations and fees. - Mason born - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 11:27 am: Grandson of Man Sorry but i will be at Scott Trade tonight and not with a Hawks Jersey. Go Blues!! - April Fool - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 11:27 am: “The Illinois labor force peaked at about 6.7 mil in 2008 and has been falling for the last six year.” Yes, the housing bubble bursting ravaged the construction sector and is a big reason why employment numbers are still significantly lower than those levels. - wordslinger - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 11:33 am: Ron, it’s not absurd to point out that things like the TVA, water projects, air conditioning and the interstates opened up the Sun Belt and West to population growth. In 1950, California’s population was 10.6 million. Now it’s 38.3 million. Florida in 1950: 2.7 million. Now, 19.6 million. Texas really took off after the oil shocks of the 70s, and they really started scrambling to get that black gold out of the ground. Texas in 1970: 11.2 million. Today, 26.4 million. - Jimmy CrackCorn - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 11:39 am: ==What’s the outlier? Crime rates have been declining across the country, including Chicago, for 20 years.== Not in the low-tax, 2nd amendment utopia to the East. Indianapolis’s murder rate is 2-3 times that of Chicago’s so far this year. Chicago’s violence is out of control and unacceptable. But, I’m guessing there won’t be too many Drudge headlines about the bloodshed in the capital/largest metro of the State that gave us Mitch Daniels, Mike Pence and Richard Mourdock. I was excited to have a President from Chicago. But after 6 years of out-of-town stupid national reporting and partisan attacks on my city, I’m more than ready to regress to fly-over country status. Many of these attacks are valid. But I think the relentlessness of the attacks, are what wears people down and produces poll results like this. - Anon - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 11:42 am: “Your line about recovering from the civil war is not even worth arguing it is so absurd. Its like saying Britain use to rule the world through sea power and is just recovering from the loss.” Yeah, WW1 and WW2 had no effect on Britains status as a world power! “HAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHA” I agree facts can be disturbing for some. “Yes Illinois is great Unless you have a business that is impacted by work comp regulations and fees” Or a business that benefits from Illinois residents high disposable income. Illinois ranks third when you adjust cost of living to median income. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Household_income_in_the_United_States#Income_by_state Sort ascending > 2009 Data adjusted for COL base period - wordslinger - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 11:46 am: Jimmy, out-of-town stupid is correct. Remember how the national press lionized Daley? Check out this lede from “Time.” –With his announcement that he would not seek a seventh term, Mayor Richard M. Daley gut-punched Chicago and now the city doesn’t quite know where it will turn to next– Gag. Daley left a whale of a mess on his way out the door. http://content.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2016992,00.html - RonOglesby - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 11:48 am: Guys, its funny to watch so many defend such terrible growth. And of course we in Illinois have nothing to learn from Texas (or any other state) that is growing better than us… Housing hurt us, this hurt us, Texas boomed in oil.. (never mentioning the 80s and an 90s that killed texas because of Oil) And this is the reason Illinois is in the dumps. because too many will excuse anything, find any data to support that Illinois is great and everyone else is wrong. - April Fool - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 11:49 am: “Ok, so in some minds its not the worst state, then give me some things good about it, other than plenty of freebies and welfare at the working mans expense.” I love it here. I love the fact that I live in a City with some of the best restaurants in America. I love the natural beauty of the lakefront. I love that I am less than a half hour away from professional football, baseball, basketball and hockey with fans that are as passionate as anywhere in the country. I love the diversity of the state. I love ISU and the friends that I made there. I love the Pub II. I love the area by the river down in Alton. Peoria is a really fun town - I’ve had many guys weekends there. Golfing up in Galena is always a great time. I’m sure there are other places in this country that have similar niceties, and sure,Illinois has its challenges right now, but lets be clear - Illinois has a lot of offer. If you can’t see that, then maybe it is time for you to bid us all adieu. - Formerly Known As... - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 11:52 am: Did someone say “Census”? From Crain’s just this week: == Census: People are leaving all six Chicago-area counties Each of the six counties in the Chicago area experienced a net loss in migration from 2010 to 2013, as modest gains in international migration failed to compensate for larger domestic departures. == - wordslinger - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 11:56 am: Gee, Ron, sorry to burden you with facts. Since you’re in the know, could you whiteboard for us the causal relationship between state government and population growth? Sweden and Switzerland’s growth rate is about the same as Illinois. Those places must be real hellholes. - Formerly Known As... - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 11:58 am: More broadly, there is the fact US Census data shows Illinois is barely growing, one of the bottom 5 in America. As the LA Times summarized it on December 30 “Pennsylvania, New Mexico, Vermont and Illinois posted the slowest population growth, all at or near a tenth of 1 percentage point.” People vote with their feet. By that measure, we are running near last in a field of 50 candidates. - RonOglesby - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 12:02 pm: @ Word When you show a census data page showing 0.2% pop growth vs the country at 2.4 and you poo poo any growth in other states, you make yourself a joke. I understand you love Illinois. But many are blinded to the point that Illinois is right in all things. Its like a religion. the dogma cannot be challenged. I challenge you to look at other states, states that the workforce is growing, that revenue is growing and ask yourself “What can we emulate?” Ask yourself honestly why net migration out of illinois is so bad? and I am not talking over 20 or 30 years I am talking the last 2, or 5 or 10. If net migration is negative, and pop growth is so slow as barely measured, you are not going to recover in this state. Denial and beating up those that point out the poor stats doesnt fix the problem. If it did CapitolFax comments alone would have put us on the road to surpluses and utopia. - RonOglesby - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 12:03 pm: @Fomerly “More broadly, there is the fact US Census data shows Illinois is barely growing, one of the bottom 5 in America. As the LA Times summarized it on December 30 “Pennsylvania, New Mexico, Vermont and Illinois posted the slowest population growth, all at or near a tenth of 1 percentage point.” People vote with their feet. By that measure, we are running near last in a field of 50 candidates. ” THIS… over and over. - wordslinger - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 12:05 pm: –Ask yourself honestly why net migration out of illinois is so bad? and I am not talking over 20 or 30 years I am talking the last 2, or 5 or 10.– Why don’t you just tell me? - Jimmy CrackCorn - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 12:05 pm: ==find any data to support that Illinois is great and everyone else is wrong== Our largest metro area is 4th most economically powerful city in the world according to the Martin Prosperity Institute. Our state has 32 fortune 500 companies trailing only California, NY, and Texas. Our state has a competitive business tax climate, ranking #31 in the Tax Foundations annual rankings ahead of #43 Wisconsin, #47 Minn., #40 Iowa, #48 California, #50 New York. One last note: While our state’s regulations may make us less “business-friendly” than your beloved Texas. None of our towns have been blown off the map by completely avoidable fertilizer plant explosions. Cuz you can have liberty and the pursuit of happiness, without the LIFE! Amiright? - RonOglesby - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 12:13 pm: @Jimmy, so explain the lack of growth and net negative migration? - Jimmy CrackCorn - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 12:36 pm: ==so explain the lack of growth and net negative migration?== It is part of a larger demographic shift to the South that has been occurring pretty steadily since the invention of air conditioning. New York, California, New Jersey, Indiana, Missouri have all been on pretty much the same domestic migration trend-line. Though the number of apocalyptic blowhards does not appear to have spiked in those states. - Precinct Captain - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 1:17 pm: “Many of us have ties to this state that make it next to impossible to leave without huge costs - financial and emotional.” Move close, but not too far away. Right across the border are those supposed Edens called Missouri, Kentucky, Iowa, Wisconsin, & Indiana. - Irish - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 1:26 pm: One conclusions to draw from this. 1. This is apolitical ad by the Tribune for their golden Boy Bruce Rauner. They have laid the groundwork by “revealing” the issue that Illinois is the worst state in the nation. It’s residents are even saying so. Since the “old established” routes have not succeeded in improving the State’s situation. We must need something radically new to bring ourselves out of this dire situation. To vote for Pat Quinn would be to continue down the “old established ” path. Bruce Rauner however is going to change everything and shake things up. HE is the outsider radical person with “new” ideas. In a nutshell “Vote for Bruce” - Formerly Known As... - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 1:35 pm: == Move close, but not too far away. Right across the border are those supposed Edens called Missouri, Kentucky, Iowa, Wisconsin, & Indiana. == I’m not sure if this was an attempt to be ironic or not, because people are. According to the most recent Census State-to-State migration data available, in 2012 Illinois lost a net of: -11,529 people to Indiana - 3,440 to Iowa -1,522 to Kentucky -8,737 to Missouri -7,871 to Wisconsin - Formerly Known As... - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 1:36 pm: Those numbers come from www.census.gov/hhes/migration/data/acs/state-to-state.html - anonymouse - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 2:13 pm: Rufus, Texas has NO income tax, limited property taxes and limited sales tax. It’s a great place to live. - Oswego Willy - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 2:17 pm: Wow. Nothing is better than reading a health back and forth. Not surprising - wordslinger - is keeping everyone on their toes. To the Post, Illinois is a place, fortunately, that still allows for options. Business, commercial or manufacturing, Agruculture, cities, suburbs, small towns, all kinds of people. Choices made by those leaving, or those contemplating leaving, are they researching, or buying into the hype of one state over Illinois, or buying into the pure negative that places like the Trib seem to drop certain “things” to keep a negative narrative. My point? As - wordslinger - responds with facts and figures to the facts and figures of those pointing to the negative, the real goal should be motivating each other to be better, and not dwell or on the “Only in Illinois” rote responses. Private sector growth and Public sector responsibility to the citizens will make the difference. Both. All. Don’t blame Government. Don’t blame business. We spend more time looking for blame, or who wears the jacket, and less time on encouraging our economy through all avenues. But, then what would the Trib and her Editorial Board write about? Illinois lacks nothing. It’s up to us to remember that. - VanillaMan - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 3:06 pm: How is Quinn running this time? “Everything is fantastic in Illinois!” “State has never been in better shape!” “Sure we have problems, but look at what we’ve accomplished!” Or - “Bruce Rauner the nine home owning multi millionaire just can’t relate to the average working class Illinoisan!” If things were as cool as you guy who want to claim that this poll can be ignored, or that Illinoisans have fallen for a load of crapola - we’d have a governor running on how great things are. But he can’t. There ya go. - Precinct Captain - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 3:23 pm: ==Rufus, Texas has NO income tax, limited property taxes and limited sales tax. It’s a great place to live.== Texas does not have “limited property taxes.” It is one of the highest property tax states in America for homeowners. http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/govbeat/wp/2013/11/18/people-in-the-northeast-and-midwest-and-texas-pay-the-highest-property-taxes/ - Formerly Known As... - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 3:38 pm: Illinois and Texas are comparable in terms of sales tax rate and property tax rates. They have the same state sales tax rate of 6.25%, not counting additional local rates. In terms of property tax rates, according to the Washington Post story “All told, property taxes were north of 1.5 percent of a home’s value in 11 states: Connecticut, Illinois, Michigan, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Texas, Vermont, and Wisconsin.” They are not comparable in terms of income tax rate. Illinois has one. Texas does not. - Richard Afflis - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 4:12 pm: It should not be like this. We are Illinois. The land of Lincoln. We have sent four presidents to the White House. We have brought innovation to the world. We are good people with a good work ethic and integrity. We are better than we believe we are. I do not know if we are the best state, but I am proud of my State. At the same time, we need to get better. - Just The Way It Is One - Friday, Apr 25, 14 @ 4:26 pm: Ah–it’s all Balderdash. Let’s just say it’s been some over a Half of a Century that I’ve called this Place my Beloved Home State–taint perfect, but it’s really not half-bad, and can actually be quite nice to live in, work, and raise kids in on the whole–all of the small percentage of scandalous baloney aside…! For me, Illinois is still #1, despite all of its’ flaws, and in my heart ‘n soul, always will be…! Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.