98 Contour SVT, Possible Ignition Problem

I have a 98 Contour SVT. The problem first started when the car would not turn off when the key was removed. I resorted to stalling it out but there was still a few accessories that would drain on the battery so i had to remove the + connection. I forgot to do this for a few days and let the car sit and wound up having to jump and charge the battery.

Now the car wont even try to turn over when i turn the key, all the accessories come on but no engine response. I have yet to really tinker with it, but I am assuming (not much of a car guy) that some kind of connection was loose in the ignition/starter/tumbler that prevented it from shutting off and was finally either shorted or can completely removed.

I have a little time before i can actually get it somewhere to get checked out so Im on a mission to see if i can get some ideas to pin-point the problem. Hoping its an easy fix =D