Outside of Chicagoland, most of the state is dedicated to agricultural use, producing some of the largest crops of soybeans and corn in the U.S.

Jim Dey: “The timing of the federal disclosure is ironic. It came a day after Madigan dismissed a GOP proposal to address ethics legislation in Springfield. ‘I would suggest that Illinois Republicans who want to pursue ethics reform go out to Washington, follow up on President Trump’s promise to drain the swamp,’ Madigan said.”

“Between recessions, states should reduce their financial exposure in anticipation of the next crisis and learn to operate with fewer employees. In particular, they should reform their public employees’ benefits—a great source a fiscal woes… Illinois, for instance, shelters its public employees from reductions in benefits while the private sector endures higher taxes and cuts in services.”

Analyst Jill Gonzalez said greater interest in getting a loan implies there may be more strain on the state’s public assistance programs in the near future, and the state may experience a deeper recession than others will.

“State Sen. Melinda Bush of Grayslake was a rare Democratic lawmaker calling outright for Madigan to not only resign his legislative post but also the state Democratic Party chairmanship he has held since 1998. But other Democrats were silent or called for generic ‘ethics reform’ in response to the federal action, reflecting what some said privately — that until Madigan has truly lost his powerful post, any reaction adverse to the speaker would be met with retribution.”

WBEZ reported last month that Carrie Zalewski was among the people Madigan recommended Pritzker hire when he took office last year. She is married to State. Rep. Michael J. Zalewski, D-Riverside, who is the son of retired Chicago Ald. Michael R. Zalewski.

“If nothing else good has come of this, the utility has served up an excellent object lesson in the dangers of tissue-thin regulations on political lobbying in Illinois. We would hope that every big corporation calls a Zoom meeting next week with their armies of lobbyists to review basic ethical guidelines.”

The state has set aside about $300 million in grants to help renters and homeowners avoid eviction. Those relief programs have not been entirely set up yet and won’t be ready for several more weeks.