Roland Burris approached the floor of the U.S. Senate this morning in an attempt to be sworn in. He was turned away in what is only the latest act in our state’s political circus.

Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn told WLS Radio yesterday that Illinois has become an “international laughingstock” in the wake of corruption allegations against Governor Rod Blagojevich. And, as state lawmakers prepare to reconvene tomorrow to continue the process of impeaching the governor, Blagojevich achieves poster child status as the face of Illinois’ tattered reputation. 

But does he alone deserve the blame? State Senator Donne Trotter talks about the state of the state, and whether some of the troubles with the governor could have been prevented.