Changes

Overall, Illinois is a blue state. Geographically speaking, the vast majority of Illinois is Republican and conservative, but because of the large population of ultraliberal Cook County and parts of the suburbs, the Democratic Party dominates the state. The 2014 gubernatorial election was very tight, even though Bruce Rauner, who won the election, won every county except Cook. Particularly regarding presidential elections, Illinois is a liberal Democrat stronghold.

Overall, Illinois is a blue state. Geographically speaking, the vast majority of Illinois is Republican and conservative, but because of the large population of ultraliberal Cook County and parts of the suburbs, the Democratic Party dominates the state. The 2014 gubernatorial election was very tight, even though Bruce Rauner, who won the election, won every county except Cook. Particularly regarding presidential elections, Illinois is a liberal Democrat stronghold.

Currently, Illinois has a [[Republican Party|Republican]] governor, [[Bruce Rauner]]. One of its GOP governors in the recent past was [[George Ryan]], who controversially emptied the state's death row after an investigation by [[Northwestern University]] law students proved that one death row inmate was innocent.<ref>https://www.cnn.com/2003/LAW/01/11/illinois.death.row/</ref>  Critics charged that he only did so to gain sympathy because he was about to be tried for [[corruption]] and selling [[commercial driver's license]]s when he was the [[Illinois Secretary of State]]. There are 2 Senators and 18 Representatives in Illinois.

Currently, Illinois has a [[Democratic Party|Democrat]] governor, [[J.B. Pritzker]]. One of its governors in the recent past was [[George Ryan]], who controversially emptied the state's death row after an investigation by [[Northwestern University]] law students proved that one death row inmate was innocent.<ref>https://www.cnn.com/2003/LAW/01/11/illinois.death.row/</ref>  Critics charged that he only did so to gain sympathy because he was about to be tried for [[corruption]] and selling commercial driver's licenses when he was the [[Secretary of State|Illinois Secretary of State]]. There are 2 Senators and 18 Representatives in Illinois.

Illinois is one of the worst fiscally managed states in the United States.<ref>Lawler, Joseph (July 11, 2017). [https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/the-5-worst-fiscally-managed-states-in-the-usa/article/2628211 The 5 worst fiscally managed states in the USA]. ''Washington Examiner''. Retrieved July 13, 2017.</ref>

Illinois is one of the worst fiscally managed states in the United States.<ref>Lawler, Joseph (July 11, 2017). [https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/the-5-worst-fiscally-managed-states-in-the-usa/article/2628211 The 5 worst fiscally managed states in the USA]. ''Washington Examiner''. Retrieved July 13, 2017.</ref>