Blago Trial Highlights The Worst of Illinois Political Financing

Ali Ata, a Rezko associate and the former head of the Illinois Finance Authority, has testified again that he was named to his post after giving campaign contributions to former Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

This isn't anything new in Illinois. What this trial isn't doing is demonstrating this has been going on for a long, long time. It didn't begin with George Ryan and Rod Blagojevich.  And considering the current state of campaign finance reform in Illinois, it's not going to stop any time soon.

So we face a $13 billion deficit in a state where pay to play is the name of the game.  Could it be possible for Illinois to the this country's first failed state?

*Update:

Looking through some state data, Illinois has the second highest budget deficit in the nation.  California has the highest.  Seeing how Illinois has the fifth largest population in the country it's worth comparing notable states and their budget woes.  Florida and Pennsylvania, the fourth and sixth largest respectively, both have a $6 billion deficit, less than half of Illinois.  Actually you could combine the two together and still wouldn't equal Illinois' deficit.  The biggest difference?  Florida and Pennsylvania's last two governors haven't went to prison have they?