The failures of Springfield are many, the state and local crises are real, and the time for action is now.

Localities don’t need to wait for Springfield to make the state work again.

Illinois recorded the second-worst growth in gross domestic product of any state in the Midwest, according to this week’s release from the Bureau of Economic Analysis. The Illinois economy grew by just 0.9 percent in 2013. Only Missouri grew slower, at a sluggish 0.8 percent. The state’s growth ranks near the bottom nationally as well....