Actually, It's in Trump's Interest to Bail Out Illinois

A former South Carolina governor accusing Illinois of seeking a federal handout is pretty rich. But that’s what Nikki Haley did after reading that Gov. Pritzker wants to use a quarter of the $41 billion he’s asking for in coronavirus aid to shore up our state’s pension fund.

“A 5th aid package should not bail out states that have recklessly spent and taxed their way into oblivion,” Haley tweeted. “Illinois lawmakers are seeking tens of billions in taxpayer funds to deal with the state’s looming pension debt — that has nothing to do with the COVID-19 pandemic.”

In fact, few states are more dependent on federal largesse than South Carolina — and few are less dependent than Illinois.

When WalletHub looked at how much money each state receives from the federal government compared with how much it pays in federal taxes, South Carolina was the runaway winner, getting back $7.87 for every dollar they put in. Illinois gets back less than a dollar. South Carolina’s net federal spending per resident is plus-$5,008. Illinois’s is minus-$364.

Illinois is one of 14 “donor” states that contribute more money to the federal government than the federal government contributes to us. Overall, South Carolina ranks 10th in dependence on the federal government. Illinois ranks 46th.