* Cartoonist Scott Stantis sent out this narrative along with his latest cartoon last night…

Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan has proposed a coporate income tax cut. This, in an attempt to beautify a business environment he and his fellow Democrats have polluted for decades,

It may be a good first step for slowing the free fall the state is in towards the bottom of the list of states to do business in. We have one of the highest unemployment rates in the country. (It hasn’t budged in over a year). Businesses leaving in droves and virtually zero new business start-ups.

Something tells me it is going to take a lot more than a maybe tax cut to stop the hemorrhaging.

* The cartoon…

* I don’t disagree with much of what Stantis said, and I kinda like the cartoon. And I really don’t want to make the comments about Stantis here.

But, “virtually zero new business start-ups”? C’mon. Just hang out in Chicago for a while and you can’t miss the growth. There are things happening there, and elsewhere in this state.

Coincidentally, check out this Wednesday story from EconomicModeling.com…

As we documented in a new analysis with CareerBuilder, Texas created 22% of the nation’s net private-sector business establishments from 2009 to 2012 (more than 29,000). New York created 16% of all net establishments (nearly 21,000) and Illinois created 14% (18,000-plus). That’s more than half of all net establishments since the end of the recession in three states. [Emphasis added.]

Wait.

14 percent of the net private-sector business establishments created in the country were right here in Illinois?

And if you look at their chart, Illinois was 7th in the nation in per capita new business establishments.

Who woulda thunk that?

* The Question: What slogan should Illinois use to combat the pervasive negative stereotyping about it?

       

95 Comments - Bill White - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 2:13 pm: === What slogan should Illinois use to combat the pervasive negative stereotyping about it? === Almost any decent slogan could work if the IL GOP would accept that endlessly trashing the state wasn’t their best shot at electoral victory. - Bill White - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 2:16 pm: Also too, if we adjust for population, IL looks even better. Texas saw 29,000 net new private sector businesses while Illinois saw 18,000? Well, Texas has twice the population (~26 million to ~13 million). Adjust for that and IL is doing better than Texas. And New York. - Timmeh - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 2:18 pm: Illinois!: “Don’t worry: Bruce Rauner is going to lose.” - Oswego Willy - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 2:21 pm: “Moving Forward, Moving Upward” - Anonymous - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 2:21 pm: Illinois - More Than Just Decatur! - Obama's Puppy - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 2:21 pm: Illinoise - Almost the Weekend - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 2:22 pm: Illinois: Wishing to be Indiana and Wisconsin since never - From the 'Dale to HP - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 2:22 pm: Slogan Illinois: Don’t listen to the Tribune (Not that Anyone Does) - Living in Machiaville - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 2:23 pm: Illinois, not as bad as you think. - Oswego Willy - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 2:24 pm: “America’s Main Street” - John A Logan - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 2:25 pm: Illinois. “We Hit Rock Bottom, Then Started Digging.” - Bill White - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 2:25 pm: Illinois: We gave America Lincoln, Reagan and Obama. Regardless of partisan affiliation there’s a “two out of three ain’t bad” joke opportunity. - Oswego Willy - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 2:28 pm: “Business is our Business” - Casual Observer - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 2:29 pm: Illinois; we can teach the south how to prepare for winter weather and snow removal. Oh wait, snowmageddon, never mind. - olddog - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 2:29 pm: Illinois. Let’s Make a Deal - Formerly Known As... - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 2:29 pm: OK, I’m really confused now. But in a “good” way. Economicmodeling.com says Illinois created +18,000 net new establishments between 2009-2012. But the Department of Labor says we lost -33,500 jobs net from January 2009 to December 2012. We created a ton of net new businesses, but lost a ton of net jobs? Something doesn’t make sense here. And I hope it’s the Department of Labor that is wrong. - Formerly Known As... - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 2:30 pm: Illinois: Takes a licking and keeps on ticking. - Rich Miller - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 2:31 pm: ===We created a ton of net new businesses, but lost a ton of net jobs?=== Try to keep in mind that thousands and thousands of state and local government jobs disappeared during that time period. Also, just because a new business starts up doesn’t mean others don’t shut down or lay off or move. - Rich Miller - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 2:32 pm: In other words, that shouldn’t be too difficult to understand. Now, back to the question, please. - Blago's Hare - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 2:32 pm: Illinois…Land of LinkedIn - Norseman - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 2:32 pm: Illinois, if you don’t like our Governor we’ll put him in jail for you. - Rich Miller - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 2:33 pm: Illinois: We don’t suck as much as you think! - Norseman - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 2:34 pm: Illinois, there’s always money to be had somewhere, somehow! - Give Me A Break - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 2:36 pm: Illinois,we arn’t as bad as the Illini look. - 47th Ward - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 2:36 pm: Illinois: Reports of our economic death have been greatly exaggerated. - Norseman - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 2:36 pm: Illinois, if we’re dumb enough to keep supporting the Cubs, we’re dumb enough to buy your goods. - Timmeh - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 2:37 pm: Illinois: “Has more Mississippi River than Mississippi.” - Rich Miller - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 2:40 pm: Illinois: As LaBoef said to Rooster Cogburn: “I ain’t dead yet, you bushwhacker!” - hisgirlfriday - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 2:40 pm: Illinois: We’ve got this thing and its effing golden. Land of Lincoln. Home of the Benjamins. We DO want nobody nobody sent. - Ghost - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 2:41 pm: Illinois - at least we are not New Jersey - Blago's Hare - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 2:41 pm: Illinois…Mile after magnificent mile of business opportunity. - Chunga's Revenge - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 2:42 pm: Illinois , the best government money can buy! - Just The Way It Is One - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 2:45 pm: “You don’t NEED ta do no ‘double check’ to save and make money where WE live. We’ve got integrity and WE get it right the 1ST time! Illinois: we love our Big CITY and Lakefront, our small towns, lakes, the Mighty Mississippi and plenty open spaces for fresh air and outdoor livin’. Illinois: we’re the Land of Lincoln…the place Michael Jordan played AND home of “DA Coach! What else could ya possibly NEED in one place?! So come, live, build–and GROW in ours: Illinois.” - The Butcher - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 2:47 pm: Illinois, proof Republicans are useless. - Stuff happens - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 2:48 pm: I’m asking seriously here: What constitutes a ‘new business establishment?’ Is that my out-of-work aunt getting a DBA to knit cat hoodies for the local flea market? Or more realistically, my out-of-work wife saying ‘now’s my chance to pursue my life’s dream’ and starting an LLC that never goes anywhere? I’m trying to see if I can find something that lists how many employees the new businesses have. “Illinois: We brought you the Web, and we’re not done yet.” “Illinois, where ideas happen.” “Illinois: Farming innovation.” I dunno. I suck at these things. - Anonymous - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 2:49 pm: Did you know that Scott Stantis and John Kass are related like 2nd cousins once removed? Combine that with Stantis holding his degree from Los Angeles Harbor College, yeah not making that up, these two are now the Trib Intelligensia. - Oswego Willy - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 2:52 pm: “Illinois - A Snail is Moving, Even If You Can’t See It” - railrat - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 2:53 pm: Blue means Growth Red means Oaf - Oswego Willy - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 2:53 pm: “Illinois - Don’t Blink, You’ll Miss It!” - Grandson of Man - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 2:54 pm: Illinois: Recovering and Defeating the Right Wing Narrative, One Troll at a Time - RNUG - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 2:55 pm: Bill White - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 2:25 pm: Nice Jim Steinman reference you slipped in there. - Commonsense in Illinois - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 2:56 pm: Illinois: Digging our way up Illinois: Take a ticking and keeps on licking…I think that’s right Illinois: Trust us…you’re gonna be fine Illinois: Finally a Governor not under indictment - Bogart - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 2:56 pm: I can see Indiana from my house. - RNUG - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 2:56 pm: Illinois - Land of Opportunity. sometimes you build it; sometimes you buy it. - Bill White - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 2:57 pm: @Rich Miller === Try to keep in mind that thousands and thousands of state and local government jobs disappeared during that time period. === Yes! Exactly! Of course, this annoying little fact interferes with preferred narrative that IL is in a death spiral, a death spiral I say! Fire Madigan! Fire Quinn! /rant - Oswego Willy - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 2:57 pm: “The ‘ill’ Is Gone In Illinois!” - Anonymous - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 2:58 pm: With kudos to Monty Python: Illinois - we’re not dead yet. - Bill White - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 2:59 pm: - Oswego Willy - @ 2:28 pm: Edited for grammar . . . “Bidness is our bidness” - Rich Miller - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 3:01 pm: ===“The ‘ill’ Is Gone In Illinois!” === OW for the lead! - Oswego Willy - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 3:02 pm: - Bill White -, “Bidness is our bidness” … Why does thhat make me think of this… “What do ya want? It fell auf a truck!” - OneMan - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 3:06 pm: How bout them Blackhawks Just bad enough at times to be interesting - Grandson of Man - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 3:08 pm: “this annoying little fact” Here is another annoying little fact. GDP growth was stronger in the last two quarters of 2013, but there is one problem with our recovery: stagnant wages. http://finance.yahoo.com/news/households-seen-driving-u-fourth-060000181.html;_ylt=AwrBEiFnC.xSSXkAoMzQtDMD That’s why we can argue that we need a minimum wage increase and an increase in the unionization rate. - Oswego Willy - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 3:08 pm: “Illinois - Hey!? Remember Us?” - Bill White - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 3:11 pm: Off topic but relevant to Grandson of Man @3:08 Walmart just cut their earnings estimates and attributed the weakness to recent cuts to the SNAP program. - Oswego Willy - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 3:12 pm: (Tips cap to Rich, ‘thanks’) “Illinois - Cold In Winter, Hot On Business” - 47th Ward - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 3:18 pm: Illinois: Hey, look, a kitty! - Oswego Willy - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 3:19 pm: “Things Look Well - In Illinois” - MrJM - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 3:19 pm: What slogan should Illinois use to combat the pervasive negative stereotyping about it? Illinois: We never filed for bankruptcy. You’re thinking of the Tribune. – MrJM - 47th Ward - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 3:22 pm: Death spiral? No, we ordered a spiral ham… Mmmmm, ham. - Oswego Willy - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 3:22 pm: “Illinois - It Was Just A Cough..” - BentheDem - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 3:22 pm: “We don’t want nobody nobody sent.”–Illinois Tourism Board - Just The Way It Is One - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 3:23 pm: Come to the Place where we just don’t ever let the “inois” in Illinois “inois” us!!! - BentheDem - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 3:24 pm: Alternately: “For a limited time only–all zoning changes half off.” - walker - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 3:25 pm: Quick Starter, Slow Finisher. - Oswego Willy - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 3:27 pm: “We Have ‘The Will’ In IllInois” - 47th Ward - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 3:29 pm: Illinois Politicians: Buy one, get one free! - Oswego Willy - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 3:31 pm: - 47th Ward -, doesn’t that open you up for RICO? lol “Land of Not Stinkin’ No More!” - Rich Miller - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 3:32 pm: MrJM pulls into a late lead! - Oswego Willy - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 3:35 pm: “No, You’re Thinking ‘NJ’ or Louisiana” - Just The Way It Is One - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 3:38 pm: Illinois–where we ALways keep OUR Bridges open for traffic and business…! - dupage dan - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 3:40 pm: Up to 50%, or more, think we are doing well!!! - Oswego Willy - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 3:40 pm: “Illinois - Our Business Climate Is Far From Arctic” - RNUG - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 3:44 pm: Illinois; takes a licking and keeps on ticking! - Oswego Willy - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 3:45 pm: “Illinois - Did We Tell You We Also Have Summer?” - Living in Machiaville - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 3:48 pm: Illinois: Making a come-back, one speech at a time. - Louis G. Atsaves - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 3:57 pm: Remember Blago’s “What Was She Thinking!” Illinois: What Were We Thinking! - Anonymous - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 4:05 pm: Illinois: The ONLY State in the Union comprised of various ethnicities!!!!!!!!!! (What?!) - Anon - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 4:08 pm: ILLINOIS Proving Stantis and the rightwing wrong again! - 47th Ward - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 4:08 pm: We’re not hemorraging jobs, it’s just a flesh wound. - RNUG - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 4:14 pm: Illinois - home to millions of new businesses - Formerly Known As... - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 4:19 pm: Illinois: You just think we stink. - Formerly Known As... - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 4:19 pm: Illinois: even when we’re bad, we’re good. - Oswego Willy - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 4:21 pm: “Illinois - Creating Jobs Is Our Job” - Formerly Known As... - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 4:21 pm: Illinois: too BIG to fail (which has the benefit of truth due to our size. 5% in Illinois is far more than, say, 5% in Rhode Island) - Formerly Known As... - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 4:27 pm: Illinois: making haters mad since August 26, 1818. - Anonymous - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 4:30 pm: That was a good one, FKA. - Chicago Cynic - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 4:42 pm: I keep telling everyone here about our vibrant tech community (which is helping drive the good news) but nobody wants to let facts interfere with the Illinois sucks narrative. Too bad. As for a slogan, how about: “Illinois, we don’t suck anywhere near as bad as you think we do.” - Oswego Willy - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 4:42 pm: “Illinois - The Wonders of Medical Marijuana” - Grandson of Man - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 4:44 pm: Illinois: On the Road to Recovery with Cheaper Employer Costs for Obamacare. Benghazi! http://finance.yahoo.com/news/obamacare-prices-may-lure-employers-115659832.html - Anonymous - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 4:44 pm: The home of…wait for it: Illinois hyphen Americans. - RNUG - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 4:47 pm: Illinois - where you can succeed in business in spite of the government - RNUG - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 4:48 pm: Illinois - a land of opportunity for everyone, even millionaires - Anonymous - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 4:50 pm: Sorry. I need to correct that last one and “spice” it up a bit. Home of the exotic Illinoisian-Americans. - Formerly Known As... - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 4:50 pm: Thanks, Anonymous. Glad I could brighten the day a bit - Anonymous - Friday, Jan 31, 14 @ 4:58 pm: You truly did, FKA. Reminded me that we are not, and never will be, wimps. This is just a minor flesh wound. Thank YOU! Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.