Nice. just when you think government in Illinois is totally pathetic, comes this from the Post-Dispatch:

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Bickering Democrats failed last week to meet an annual legislative deadline for passing a state budget and dealing with other major issues, despite holding total control of state government.

But at least they managed to vote themselves a pay raise.

That was among the few concrete things achieved in the final hours of the regular legislative session, which ended at midnight Thursday. Hopes of crafting a state spending plan on time collapsed amid deep discord between the three Chicago Democrats who control the House, Senate and governor’s office.