Blago arrest 5 years later: Where are they now?

INTRODUCING... Nothing tells a story and expresses a viewpoint more quickly and with more impact than an editorial cartoon. That's certainly true when the subject is the (unfortunately) rich history of corruption in Illinois government. So today we introduce Corruption Corner, a gallery of some of the best corruption-related cartoons from Illinois' recent history. Sure, they're funny, but the underlying message is serious, and we've provided lots of links to give context to the real problem behind these images. We'll be rolling out galleries on many other relevant subjects in the weeks to come. And, of course, we'll update Corruption Corner accordingly. Click here and have a laugh, a cry, a frustrated scream. 

STRUGGLING IN ILLINOIS Yesterday's Top 10 list featured the Illinois towns with the lowest unemployment rates. Today we look at the opposite end: the 10 cities with the highest unemployment in the state. 

PUT DOWN THE SHOVEL What is it they say to do if you want to get out of a hole? It also applies to Illinois finances. And it's our job, with elections nearing, to make our current/future/aspiring leaders stop digging.

THEN AND NOW Monday marked the five-year anniversary of Rod Blagojevich's arrest. What followed made Illinois a national punch-line and represented a new low point for Illinois politics. Five years later, we catch up with the major players in this dark chapter of Illinois history.

ELECTION BY YOUTUBE A snow globe, a sledgehammer, a milkshake, a candidate: Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Rauner wants your vote... on his latest round of videos. See them here.

SECRET SURVEY When the Illinois Board of Education withheld its analysis of a major survey of Illinois teachers and students, the Chicago Tribune dug in. The Trib published its findings today.

TOP 5 Here's a look at headlines from around Illinois today:

• 5. Chicago’s future looks bleak if the city doesn't get pension relief. (Associated Press)
  4. Illinois’ credit spread in the municipal bond market shrunk following last week’s pension reform passage. (Reuters)
  3. Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s aldermanic allies have blocked an effort to let voters decide whether Chicago should have an elected school board. (Chicago Tribune)
  2. A statewide survey last year of 6th-12th graders produced some revealing results. (Chicago Tribune)
  1. Opinion: The Tribune’s “Broken Bonds” series shows that Chicago Public Schools are in extreme trouble and there may be no way out of the mess. (Chicago Tribune)