Illinois looks to clean up dirty political reputation

Illinois has a long history of political corruption. Four of the past eight governors have been indicted on corruption charges, and dozens of other public officials have been convicted on similar grounds. In February, the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor, Scott Lee Cohen, stepped aside after allegations that he had abused his wife.

Hoping to clear up the state’s reputation of corruption and cronyism, the Illinois Democratic Party is allowing regular citizens to apply online to become the party’s new nominee for lieutenant governor. We talk with Monica Davey, the Chicago bureau chief for The New York Times, and Michael Rebresh, who owns a chauffeur company in Illinois and applied for the political position.