Unlikely Trio of States Top Index of Government Integrity After Small Improvements

Illinois, New Jersey and Rhode Island?

CHICAGO — Illinois, New Jersey and Rhode Island top a new government integrity list.

What's the punchline?

A report from the Illinois-based Better Government Association has the three states, which historically have — shall we say — poor reputations for good government, atop its new Government Integrity Index.

"The states that had the brightest lights and the most heat on their sordid past, their corruption, have apparently taken the most, small, steps to make their governments more accountable and  transparent," BGA executive director Andy Shaw said.