Quinn Gets a “C” Grade on Job Creation from Business Leaders in Illinois

As Governor Pat Quinn of Illinois gets ready to place his budget proposal on Wednesday, business leaders are voicing their grievances.

On Monday, Illinois Chamber of Commerce president Doug Whitley said that governor Pat Quinn should make his administration work harder to develop the business environment and shine the image of the State as investor-friendly.

Whitley made the comments while launching a two-day statewide tour to identify factors that are blocking development in the state and foiling efforts to bring down a state unemployment rate which has remained consistently higher than the national average.

While the national unemployment rate is close to 8 percent, that of Illinois has been close to 10 percent without any sign of lowering.

Whitley also mentioned that Governor Pat Quinn deserved no more than a C or C+ grade for his efforts to create jobs in the state.

In response to Whitney’s comment, Quinn argued that at least the United Auto Workers would give him an A for persuading Chrysler to add 1,800 employees at its Belvidere plant.

The image of Illinois has suffered heavily due to its unpredictable economic policies and from corruption scandals including high-profile scandals involving the seat of the past Governor.

Whitley hinted at the situation quite tersely saying, “Every year there is talk about raising the corporate tax, or there’s another governor going off to prison….People don’t think about job creation; they think about corrupt governors (when it comes to Illinois).”

However, Whitley admitted that Quinn had rightly identified economic development as a priority and increasing focus on trade between Illinois and the world. However, he maintains that Quinn “gets a really low grade on fiscal policy.”

Comparing the situation in Illinois with that of debt-crippled Greece Whitley said, “We are going to have to do things that aren’t terribly popular … but it’s the only way to turn this state around.”

Whitley’s suggestions to boost the state’s economy includes lowering corporate tax rates, lower worker wages, reduce the influence of labor unions and reform rules so that businesses cannot be sued on the drop of a hat.