Climate of Opinion in Illinois 2008- 2016: Roots of Gridlock
Since January 1, 2015, Illinois has been frozen in a governmental and political gridlock that has dominated the states political discourse, consumed the energies of all involved, and created chaos in governmental and non-profit agencies that normally deliver state services. It has also created untold hardship and suffering among those who are most dependent on state services. The conflict has especially threatened to drastically reduce the quality and missions of the institutions of public higher education in Illinois, a state system that was widely recognized as one of the best in the nation and the world.