Editorial: Other states have emergency financial reserves to help combat the coronavirus. Not Illinois.

So, the chickens are coming home to roost.  What a shame. These are the things that unmake countries...and states.

In dealing with the needs of people hurt by the coronavirus crisis, the state of Indiana has a notable advantage: a rainy day fund that holds more than $2 billion. State budget director Cris Johnston says some of the reserve will be used to cover unexpected expenses, such as buying personal protective equipment for health care workers. It’s a welcome buffer, which the state had wisely built up from $831 million a decade earlier.

Too bad Illinois was not so farsighted. Its Budget Stabilization Fund has only $58,655. That’s enough to cover the state government’s normal expenses for about 30 seconds. Indiana’s is enough to cover more than a month.

The state has a backlog of $7.5 billion in unpaid bills.  Why would anyone want to do business with a deadbeat state?