Great moments in the bluest of blue states, IL, Dem Gov, Dem House, Dem Senate. Working well and now we have exported this fine record to Washington.

Illinois unemployment up sharply to 9.9 percent

CHAMPAIGN — Illinois' unemployment rate shot up almost half a percentage point in August to 9.9 percent. It was a fourth straight month of diminishing job prospects that state officials blame on weak consumer confidence and the struggles of the national economy.