Really, this is what Illinois “does best?”

Unless you recently climbed out of your nuclear bomb shelter from the Cold War era like this guy…

It seems like every time we turn around, some group has put Illinois onto its latest “Top 10 list” of some kind of very bad thing. For example:

• Worst state to raise kids.
• Worst in-the-nation pension debt.
• Worst credit rating of all the states.
• One of the least business-friendly environments, for both big and small businesses.
• Fourth most corrupt state.
• Home to most violent neighborhood in country.
• Oh, and how could we forget, the “worst possible state to live in,” according to Illinoisans who participated in an April 2014 Gallup poll.

But a new ranking from the website 1BOG.org takes the cake. It purports to rank each state on what it’s best at. While Wisconsin gets praise for its wonderful cheese, Tennessee for its horses and Vermont for its smarts, Illinois is deemed best in the nation for street gang affiliation.

(Click to enlarge)

We’ll admit, Chicago has had a serious gang problem for decades. The problem extends far beyond the city limits and is a serious statewide problem. In fact, East St. Louis has the most violent neighborhood in the country, with Rockford close behind at the No. 5 spot, according to Neighborhood Scout.

Still, is this really what Illinois does “best?”

Come on, how about best state for former governors going to prison? Best at amassing pension debt? Best at not paying its bills?

Then again, maybe we should embrace the gang affiliation rating. It lets us beat California at something, after all.

NEXT ARTICLE: The state’s worst designations

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Kevin Hoffman is a Reboot Illinois staff writer who graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in journalism, political science and international studies. He believes keeping citizens informed and politicians in check is the best way to improve Illinois and bring about common sense reform.  Follow us on Facebook.