State of the State: 2014
Rhetoric vs. Reality: Gov. Quinn’s failed record on jobs
2010 SOTS:
Quinn Rhetoric: “I think the number one issue in Illinois today is getting our economy back on track.”
“Our mission this year is to revive our economy and put people back to work”
REALITY: To date, compared to when Gov. Quinn took office in 1/2009, Illinois has lost 93,137 jobs, the number of unemployed is up 36,892, the labor force is down 56,245, and the jobless rate is up from 8.0% to 8.6%, the third-highest of any state.[1]
2011 Budget Address:
Quinn Rhetoric: “We must be a state that has a dynamic, growing economy.”
“We are creating jobs.”
REALITY: At that time, from 1/2009 to 1/2011, Illinois had lost 111,050 jobs, the jobless rate had risen from 8.0 to 9.4, and the Illinois labor force shrunk.[2]
2012 SOTS:
Quinn Rhetoric: “In the past three years, we’ve worked together to strengthen our economy and make Illinois a better place to do business”
REALITY: At that time, from 1/2009 to 1/2012, Illinois had lost 78,762 jobs under Gov. Quinn, the jobless rate had risen from 8.0 to 9.1, and the Illinois labor force shrunk.[3]
2013 SOTS:
Quinn Rhetoric: “In the last four years, we have created jobs, invested in our public works, and enacted major reforms.”
REALITY: At that time, from 1/2009 to 1/2013, Illinois had lost 29,068 jobs under Gov. Quinn, and the jobless rate had risen from 8.0 to 9.0.[4]
Quinn Rhetoric: “Fortunately, thanks to President Barack Obama, we now have the Affordable Care Act, which will improve the health of the people of Illinois and create thousands of jobs.”
REALITY: ObamaCare enrollment in Illinois[5] is only 1/5 of the way to its goal[6], and Illinoisans are signing up slower than the national rate.
Illinois has enrolled only 1 out of every 210 people, or 0.47 percent of the population,[7] compared to the national rate of 1 out of every 146 people, or 0.69 percent of the overall population.[8]
The 61,111 Illinoisans who have signed up for ObamaCare is less than 1/3 of the 185,000 Illinoisans who have received cancellation notices because of ObamaCare… so far.[9]
- Curious - Tuesday, Jan 28, 14 @ 1:11 pm:
I certainly disagree with their “interpretation” of the facts but this is solid, effective messaging work from the ILGOP. They’ve been fairly impressive in that regard in recent weeks - a testament to their new leadership.
- Mr. Big Trouble - Tuesday, Jan 28, 14 @ 1:13 pm:
Agree that the GOP has finally put togehter a good ad that should generate plenty of discussion. PQ’s response should be interesting.
- Ravenswood Right Winger - Tuesday, Jan 28, 14 @ 1:15 pm:
good work people!
- Formerly Known As... - Tuesday, Jan 28, 14 @ 1:16 pm:
Now that’s a “fact check”.
- Ghost - Tuesday, Jan 28, 14 @ 1:20 pm:
This is what Rauner needs to do, instead of his union boss meme.
- Formerly Known As... - Tuesday, Jan 28, 14 @ 1:31 pm:
More good news for Mr. Quinn before the SOTS: Cancer Treatment Centers of America announces HQ moving from Illinois to Florida.
225 new jobs for Florida, plus a company grossing over $100 million annually: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/I/IL_CANCER_CENTERS_MOVE_ILOL-?SITE=ILBLO&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Jan 28, 14 @ 1:37 pm:
It’s politics as usual. You get credit you don’t deserve when times are good, you take the hits when times are bad.
But anyone who thinks that state government is anything more than a minor factor in the economy believes in unicorns. Many, far greater factors are in play.
- Cincinnatus - Tuesday, Jan 28, 14 @ 1:41 pm:
Has the word list for the Quinn State of the State drinking game been published yet, Rich?
- OneMan - Tuesday, Jan 28, 14 @ 1:47 pm:
True wordslinger…
But if you are going to claim it is a bigger factor then you need to be held to that standard…
- OneMan - Tuesday, Jan 28, 14 @ 1:48 pm:
Also took 6 comments on this one to get the first Rauner Reference(tm)
- Louis G. Atsaves - Tuesday, Jan 28, 14 @ 2:08 pm:
Nice to see my State Party making some positive noise for a change.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Tuesday, Jan 28, 14 @ 2:08 pm:
Weak. Ineffective. Used before.
For atleast three years into the Blago administration, the Illinois Manufacturers Association touted the “300,000 manufacturing jobs lost over the last five years.”
Glossing over the fact that most of those jobs left Illinois under Governor Ryan.
Now Republicans want to blame Pat Quinn for the Great Recession.
It is dishonest, not factchecking.
And it didnt work last go around, I doubt it works again.
But hey, way to telegraph your punches Gang.
- Anon. - Tuesday, Jan 28, 14 @ 2:26 pm:
==PQ’s response should be interesting.==
Like that’s ever gonna happen. But then, a competent job by the state Republicans is about as common as unicorns, so who knows?
- Cook County Commoner - Tuesday, Jan 28, 14 @ 2:45 pm:
Following on Wordslinger, it would be interesting to hear the President and Gov Quinn during their upcoming speeches acknowledge that factors such as globalization, age demographics and industrial robotics have profoundly altered the US and global economies, and it would be naive for citizens to believe that government can return us all to the relatively lush days of past decades.
- Darienite - Tuesday, Jan 28, 14 @ 2:48 pm:
Trying to piece this together:
2009 - Lost 93K jobs.
2009-2010 - Lost 111K jobs.
2009-2011 - Lost 78K jobs.
2009-2012 - Lost 29K jobs.
Using those stats, did Illinois gain 82K jobs in 82,000 over 2 years? Or am I missing something?
- Anon - Tuesday, Jan 28, 14 @ 2:54 pm:
@Darienite, the number for each year is that year’s employment number compared to January, 2009, not each to the previous year. The net difference between today’s numbers and back in January, 09 is -93k.
- Formerly Known As... - Tuesday, Jan 28, 14 @ 3:00 pm:
State government certainly isn’t the only factor in job growth, but it plays an important role in establishing the business and regulatory climate.
Consider, for example, how sharply the policies, approach and language of Florida contrast with Illinois. From the press release: www.modernhealthcare.com/assets/pdf/CH92770127.PDF
=== Governor Scott said, “To continue this success, we’re working to cut $500 million in taxes and fees this upcoming session to create an opportunity economy that provides generations of families with great careers, so they can pursue the American Dream.” ===
=== said Jesse Panuccio, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. “Our policies are focused on making Florida the number one state in the nation for economic growth…” ===
Florida dramatically outpaces Illinois in terms of both jobs created (#) and job growth rate (%). This applies whether we look at previous Labor Department data or Moody’s 2014 projections.
If the only components for job growth were location, infrastructure, an educated workforce and so on, Illinois would be near the top of job growth every year.
Unfortunately, even with our many natural advantages, we are currently closer to last than first.
- Formerly Known As... - Tuesday, Jan 28, 14 @ 3:24 pm:
=== But hey, way to telegraph your punches ===
Everyone saw that punch coming after Illinois just reported losing -3,200 jobs in December.
That is hardly blaming “Pat Quinn for the Great Recession”.
The Great Recession hit every state in the nation.
But only Illinois is projected to finish last in job growth among the states during 2014.
Nearly 5 years AFTER the Great Recession.
- walker - Tuesday, Jan 28, 14 @ 3:52 pm:
One point made five different ways. It did get confusing, at first read thru.
It’s always “the economy, stupid.” And the extent to which people feel that pain, is the extent they dislike incumbents, and like newcomers.
I’m not sure arguments and “facts” make much difference.
- Judgment Day - Tuesday, Jan 28, 14 @ 3:59 pm:
“Following on Wordslinger, it would be interesting to hear the President and Gov Quinn during their upcoming speeches acknowledge that factors such as globalization, age demographics and industrial robotics have profoundly altered the US and global economies, and it would be naive for citizens to believe that government can return us all to the relatively lush days of past decades.”
So, maybe Pat Quinn’s ‘headline’ for his “State of the State” speech should be “This is as good as it gets, folks”.
Way to pump up the crowd, Pat.
- Rob Roy - Tuesday, Jan 28, 14 @ 8:25 pm:
It all be okay just get signed up for Obama Care.