Issue Position: Jobs

Issue Position

JOBS

Illinois is struggling to compete with neighboring states that are better managed, have lower taxes, less debt and pension liabilities, right to work laws, and fewer regulations. Office Depot, Jimmy John's, State Farm, Caterpillar, and Cancer Treatment Centers of America are just a few of the businesses who have relocated their headquarters or new facilities outside of our state. Job growth is one of Illinois' biggest challenges
Illinois can be a thriving place for business again by voting out one party-Democrat rule ushering in a new direction and leadership.

FACTS:

Illinois has the 2nd highest unemployment rate in the country at 8.6%, a full 1.9 percentage points above the national average.
Moody's Analytics predicts Illinois will create the fewest number of jobs in the U.S. in 2014, ranking 50th out of 50.
Moody's also reports that more than 565,000 Illinoisans are unemployed, and 1 million are unemployed or underemployed. 108,889 Illinoisans left the workforce in 2013.
Illinois' credit rating is the worst in the nation.
Illinois has one of the highest regulatory burdens in the country and is ranked by Forbes to be only 38th best state for business.
Illinois has the 4th highest workers compensation rates in the country
Illinois has lost 130,000 manufacturing jobs since before the recession. Many of these jobs have gone to neighboring states with more business-friendly climates.

SOLUTIONS: Lower the cost of doing business to make Illinois a more business-friendly state again.

Allow the 2011 Quinn-Madigan tax hike to expire in 2015 for both corporations and individuals. Replace revenue by recruiting new businesses to Illinois.
Reduce regulations.
Reform the workers compensation system.

Source