Just Got Home from Illinois, Oh Boy!

Fitch Ratings downgraded Illinois’ credit rating to “A-” from “A” after the General Assembly failed to move forward on pension reform before the end of the spring legislative session.

In its statement announcing the downgrade, Fitch called Illinois’ pension liability “unsustainable” and said it was concerned about the state being able to deal with its “numerous fiscal challenges.” It's a nice way to say, they're corrupt and also lazy. Don't give them any more money.
This downgrade is the 12th Illinois has experienced under Gov. Pat Quinn and comes shortly after a threat by Moody’s Investors Service to downgrade Illinois’ credit rating if it did not make significant progress on the pension crisis. And it didn't.

And meanwhile, the day before, the Illinois Republicans announced they're going to start an American Idol style campaign to vet their candidates in the state. 

Huh? 

I mean, sure, there are quite a few districts where the resident Democrat runs unopposed. Like Lou Lang and Ira Silverstein.

The Chicago Republican Party is kicking off a new effort to attract candidates citywide, and part of it involves an "American Idol-style”" vetting process.

WBBM Newsradio’s Bernie Tafoya reports the party will first run a set of Internet ads seeking potential GOP candidates for state legislative races in next year's election.

Spokesman Chris Cleveland said people who apply to run as Republican candidates and fill out surveys will be asked to engage in an “American Idol-style” vetting process, which will include standing before a selection panel to present a speech about themselves and their views.

"The committee’s mandate is to select credible candidates who adhere to core Republican values. There will be no litmus tests," the party said in a news release.

With such a lack of actual democracy, in a state where the ruling party continues to not lift a finger to pass pension reform - the competition is resorting to a karaoke contest for their next set of candidates? I think that'll work out about as well for them as they deserve. And for that I mean that Illinois will continue to backslide in stature until it hits Alabama.