Most of the massive pension problems in that state is due to the issues in Chicago. And the crime wave in that city is driving people away--literally--in large numbers.
A pity, because Illinois have a lot of good people outside Chicago and under the right government, Chicago would be booming as the largest transportation hub in the country.
And East St. Louis. And Joliet...
Lots of places that cancel out the votes from more conservative southern Illinois much of whose residents have long since fled.