CAT CEO Doug Oberhelman writes in the Chicago Tribune why [img_assist|nid=26458|title=|desc=|link=none|align=right|width=300|height=300]Illinois is falling behind as a job center. His insight as the CEO of one of Illinois' flagship companies is very valuable and timely.
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For starters, Illinois needs to adopt a long-term sustainable state budget that relieves pressures on taxpayers. "
Read the whole editorial here.
Check out Illinois Policy Institute's report, "Wrong Way, Illinois" to see how Gov. Quinn's policies have caused the Land of Lincoln to fall behind on job growth.
From the report: "Almost a year after Illinois record income tax increase, the states unemployment woes contrast starkly with the slow but positive national economic recovery. Unemployment rates in 46 states dropped since January 2011, and some dramatically. Illinois unemployment rate, on the other hand, was 9.8 percent in December, up from 9 percent in January 2011. Simply put, Illinois placed more people on the unemployment rolls than any other state in the country."
On Monday night, over 625 people joined Fox TV commentator Juan Williams and syndicated radio host Michael Medved at an event cosponsored by AFP to discuss the need for school choice to restore competition and accountability in education.
The panelists agreed on the need to curb the power of the teachers unions in order to reward good teachers and dismiss bad ones so that all children can receive a quality education. See the article from Illinois Review for more details.
[img_assist|nid=26144|title=Overflow audience at School Choice Event in Deerfield|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=224|height=300]
It should come as no surprise, but Illinois has been rated the #2 on the list of worst states to retire by TopRetirements.com
2. Illinois. Illinois (along with Nevada) faces serious economic troubles. Its pension funding, deficit spending, unemployment, and foreclosure rates are among the worst of any states. The state began to address its problems last year when it raised income tax rates. Although Illinois does not tax most pension or social security, other earnings and investment income are taxed at a fairly high rate thanks to its 5% flat tax rate.
Sadly, Illinois actually tied for #1, but the site decided to choose CT as the winner... or the loser.
In an example of the unions and adults coming before the kids they are supposed to serve, the Illinois Policy Institute has put out a report showing how Illinois' unsustainable pension costs are eating up more and more education funds that would otherwise be used to educate children. Click Here for IPI's full report.
One disturbing reality from the report:
In higher education In recent years 80 cents of every new state dollar were spent on retirements leaving less for the classroom.
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