I am usually so proud of my Illinois heritage!   I live in the Twin Cities now, but I PROUDLY (and quite loudly) cheer on my Chicago sports teams.   I back Chicago/Illinois politicians.  I. love. Barack. Obama.

But, what a sad week for Illinois.  What the hell goes on in that governor’s mansion?

It seems that the state of Illinois is precise and methodical in electing only the most corrupt scumbags to office, especially when it comes to the governorship.

It’s rather startling to fathom one state successfully electing such brazen thieves time and time again, an ultimate exercise of participatory democratic destruction. Nevermind the occasional successes like, say, a Durbin or an Obama – Illinois embraces the notion of unsavory, untrustworthy government  and should be commended for its ardent devotion to a single set of ideals.

How rebellious. How adventurous. How non-partisan.  (We can’t even point fingers to a particular political party!)

Nine men have served as governor of Illinois in the past 50 years. Five of them got indicted for being dirty.

**** DIRTY**** William Stratton (1953 – 1961) REPUBLICAN Was indicted for tax evasion in connection to his use of campaign funds, but he was ultimately acquitted n 1965.

**** DIRTY**** Otto Kerner, Jr. (1961 – 1968) DEMOCRAT Convicted on 17 counts of bribery, conspiracy, perjury, and related charges. He was sentenced to three years in federal prison and fined $50,000.

Samuel Shapiro (1968-1969) DEMOCRAT

Richard Ogilvie (1969-1973) REPUBLICAN

**** DIRTY**** Dan Walker (1973 – 1977) DEMOCRAT In 1987 he was convicted of improprieties related to the First American Savings & Loan Association of Oak Brook. It was reported that he received over a million dollars in fraudulent loans for his business and repairs on his yacht, the Governor’s Lady.

James Thompson (1977-1991) REPUBLICAN

James Edgar (1991-1999) REPUBLICAN

**** DIRTY**** George Ryan (1999 – 2003) Investigations into widespread corruption during his administration led to his retirement from politics in 2003 and federal corruption convictions in 2006. Ryan entered federal prison on November 7, 2007, to begin serving a sentence of six years and six months.

**** DIRTY**** Rod R. Blagojevich (2003 – ???) The charges were for conspiracy and soliciting bribes. The case was related to solicitation for the nomination to replace former United States Senator Barack Obama, but extended well beyond this issue. Blagojevich has also been charged with attempting to extort the owners of the Tribune Company to fire editors at the Chicago Tribune. In addition he was charged with abusing his power over the release of $8 million of state funds to a children’s hospital under the belief that he might be able to obtain a $50,000 campaign contribution from one of its executives.

Seriously?  Will the next governor be an even bigger crook?  Illinois, come on……make this girl proud again……and break your damn track record!