Illinois is now — and has been for a long time — in trouble.

Not so much that the state’s elected leaders have been persuaded to address its severe financial and economic woes. But it’s been more than enough for those who live with the results of this governmental malpractice to figure it out and take action.

Democratic Comptroller Susana Mendoza issued a blistering critique of Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner on Sunday, accusing him of a massive “disconnect” from reality because of his wealth and of trying to deflect blame for the state’s financial problems.

Mendoza also accused Rauner of trying to “demand” she break the law and continue issuing at least partial paychecks to state workers even if a St. Clair County judge lifts an order allowing employees to be paid in the absence of a full state budget. Rauner’s administration responded by trying to link her to the Republican governor’s chief political nemesis, Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan.

A former city worker who admitted to bilking taxpayers out of more than $1 million in the Hired Truck program is entitled to his pension, a Cook County judge ruled, overturning an earlier retirement board decision.

Attorneys for the Laborer’s and Retirement Board Employees’ Annuity Fund of Chicago are appealing the ruling.

Sad and pathetic, but not the least bit surprised.

Chicago State University’s struggles are daunting: It has half as many students as six years ago. The graduation rate has dropped to 11 percent. Hundreds of employees have been laid off, and the school may run out of money before the end of the semester.

Yet leaders at the Far South Side public school have spent years trying to open a second campus on Chicago’s West Side — an ambitious effort pursued with the promise of state funding and a price tag that grew to $60 million.

Since being laid off as a social worker eight years ago, Nate Williams pays his bills by playing acoustic guitar in a CTA subway station.

“This is pretty lucrative, if you respect what you’re doing,” said Williams, 57, who entertains crowds at the Washington Blue Line stop singing pop favorites like “A Hard Day’s Night” and “How Sweet It Is.” His subway work helps him find paying gigs at other venues.

Illinois legislators are proposing to boost immigrant protections statewide in response to President Donald Trump’s executive orders on immigration, a move advocates say would essentially give the state “sanctuary” status.

One proposal says schools, medical facilities and places of worship don’t have to give access to federal immigration authorities or local law enforcement working on their behalf. Another proposal would limit cooperation and communication between local police and immigration authorities.

Peoria Mayor Jim Ardis stressed the need for consistency in city leadership in an uncertain time, while challengers G. Marie Kennell and Couri Thomas argued the time is right for a change in leadership during a mayoral forum Saturday morning.

From visions of the city’s future to fighting poverty to business expansion, the three dealt with a rapid-fire series of questions in a roughly hourlong discussion hosted by the League of Women Voters of Greater Peoria at the Peoria Public Library’s North Branch.