Documentary focuses on political corruption in Illinois

[February 12, 2024]  By Kevin Bessler | The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Political corruption in Illinois is center stage in a new documentary coming out this month.

The film is called “Lincoln is Crying: The Grifters, Grafters and Governors of Illinois,” and takes a comical look at the many instances of Illinois politicians who have been convicted of some sort of corruption. 
 

In this March 15, 2012 file photo, former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich departs his Chicago home for Littleton, Colo., to begin his 14-year prison sentence on corruption charges.- Charles Rex Arbogast

Director John Davies said the comedic angle for the film was a no-brainer.

“If we could take this very bitter pill of Illinois political corruption and we could make it go down a little easier if we cloaked it with a little bit of humor, and it hasn’t been hard to do because some of these people are just comical in their thievery,” Davies told The Center Square.

The film looks at the exploits of former Illinois Govs. Otto Kerner, Dan Walker, George Ryan and Rod Blagojevich. They also feature Chicago aldermen who have been convicted and numerous other corrupt office holders around Illinois.

The story behind Illinois’ corruption is told by journalists, authors, entertainers, prosecutors, defense attorneys and politicians.

Davies said maybe one of the reasons Illinois is the most corrupt state in the country is because there are more than 7,000 governmental bodies in Illinois.

“It’s got more units of government than any other state in the nation, yet it's only the fifth largest state,” Davies said. “With that many offices of government, there are too many opportunities to steal.”

Davies said the film will be made available Feb. 14 on Roku and Smart TV’s and he hopes eventually on PBS.