If States (in USA) were to merge to avoid bankruptcy, which States would do so? (see details)

Here in Illinois our technically bankrupt state’s governor has requested that the 800+ school districts be forced to merge to yield about 400 inorder to reduce the billions in deficit by reducing administration, duplication, facilities etc. So, if a State needed to survive by merging with a contiguous State, which in your opinion would be candidate to wed and why? Such as North Carolina and South Carolina; or Oregon and Washington.