[The following is a paid advertisement.]

Upgrading Illinois’ electric grid to meet the demands of the 21st century is important to restoring the state’s economy.

Grid Modernization will…

…create thousands of jobs.

• Grid modernization will be a $2.6 billion shot in the arm for the Illinois economy. It will put thousands of Illinoisans back to work right away and bring job-generating companies to Illinois to improve employment over the longer-term.

…help make Illinois competitive with other states to attract new businesses.

• Today, 44 states already have some sort of Smart Grid program in place. That’s because companies are demanding a modern electric grid to grow their business.

… signal to the nation that Illinois aims to be the Silicon Valley of the Smart Grid revolution.

• A modern grid provides clean-tech companies with a platform for product development and testing.

There is a reason grid modernization is supported by both labor organizations and business groups. It’s because grid modernization is good for business growth and good for jobs.