Analyzing the state of our state
The March 30 editorial “How Illinois ranks in the U.S. on key indicators; A state of distress” paints a very disheartening picture of our state.
And in many respects, the problems it points out are real.
However, when one looks at where some of the rankings that are assigned come from, one would be well-advised to take them with more than a grain of salt.
Four of the rankings come from the American Legislative Exchange Council, a supposed non-profit that has been exposed by Bill Moyers and by the Center for Media and Democracy as one of the most influential conservative corporate-funded lobbying tools, working to increase corporate profits at public expense.
ALEC was the driving force behind the Stand Your Ground laws and the voter ID restriction laws.
ALEC not only lobbies but actually allows corporations to draft bills that they then hand to legislators to be introduced in state legislatures.
