Illinois's former Governor Edgar had it right months ago. Edgar characterized current Governor Rauner's refusal to negotiate a budget until he wins concessions on his ideological policy agenda as "hostage taking."

Pope Francis's visit to a Philadelphia prison this weekend will serve as a reminder of the heavy cost of today's high incarceration levels for families, neighborhoods and states.

Federal Medicaid funding -- which makes up close to half of federal aid to states -- will rise in coming years, partly due to health reform's coverage expansions. But federal support for most other state and local activities will likely continue shrinking.

On Monday I heard from Illinoisans who are struggling to make ends meet. They work hard every day, but Governor Bruce Rauner's ruthless budget policies are making their lives even harder. As the Governor holds the budget hostage, Illinoisans are paying the price.