You are incorrect about the pay/receive federal fund ratio.
Illinois, as with most wealthy states, pay far more into the fed treasury than it receives back. Your view of the state's economy is completely off the wall.
It's been published in Crain's business annually for over TWENTY YEARS, put out by the State of Illinois Department of Economic Development.
They have also lost 50,000 full time jobs since the current Governor was sworn in Jan, 2003.
The State is one massive governmental program, I've been watching the decline for years. They have a 2.3 billion dollar deficit this year!
There only debate on how to get out of their mess is LEGALIZED GAMBLING. What a joke, the entire state knows it.
What is your perspective on the state and your sources?