Changes

==Politics==

==Politics==

Illinois can be viewed as having a more [[liberal]] concentration in the northeastern portion of the state.  This is often attributed to the large metropolitan area surrounding [[Chicago]].  While the southern and western portions of the state are typically more [[conservative]].  The state capitol is [[Springfield, Illinois|Springfield]], and there is political tension about state lawmakers who spend too much of their time in either Chicago or Springfield.

Illinois can be viewed as having a more [[liberal]] concentration in the northeastern portion of the state.  This is often attributed to the large metropolitan area surrounding [[Chicago]].  In contrast, the southern and western portions of the state are typically more [[conservative]].  The state capitol is [[Springfield, Illinois|Springfield]], and there is political tension about state lawmakers who spend too much of their time in either Chicago or Springfield.

The population distribution has lead Illinois to lean politically to the [[left]] in most recent non-local elections.  Many consider Illinois to be a liberal stronghold, especially in regard to [[presidential]] elections.

The population distribution has led Illinois to lean politically to the [[left]] in most recent non-local elections.  Many consider Illinois to be a liberal stronghold, especially in regard to [[presidential]] elections.

Currently, Illinois has a [[Democratic]] governor, [[Rod Blagojevich]], but has elected [[Republican]] governors in the recent past, such as [[George Ryan]], who controversially emptied the state's death row. 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]].  

Currently, Illinois has a [[Democratic]] governor, [[Rod Blagojevich]], but has elected [[Republican]] governors in the recent past, such as [[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>http://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]].  

===Elected Officials===

===Elected Officials===

[[Category:States of the United States]]

[[Category:States of the United States]]

[[Category:Illinois]]

[[Category:Illinois]]