Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

Behind Indiana’s “push”

Posted in:

Illinois

* Here come the Hoosiers…

State and local officials in northwest Indiana are investing $250,000 in an advertising campaign to lure Illinois businesses across the state line.

The cash has been and will be spent on billboards, newspapers, websites and cable TV. When you consider that Indiana’s campaign started in late January and will continue a while longer and how large and expensive the Chicago media market is, this buy will barely make a blip.

* They also have a little - and I do mean little - website…

Indiana Commerce Secretary Mitch Roob (ROHB) says the campaign’s website already has generated 2,000 unique visits.

2,000 unique visits! Wow! That’s worth about $50 to AdSense. Hooray! They’re rich! That Indiana budget deficit will be balanced in no time flat, baby.

Seriously, 2K uniques since January 24th? That’s less than 100 per day. And, keep in mind that some unique visitor tracking software restarts every few hours, so 2K uniques since 1/24 doesn’t necessarily mean 2K different people.

* More propaganda…

“In Indiana, Republicans and Democrats alike don’t believe you tax your way out of a deficit,” Roob said. “We do not believe you can tax your way into prosperity.”

Yeah, except for that last Indiana tax hike that nobody seems to remember.

* A recent Roob quote…

“The new marketing slogan for Illinois must be: ‘Come for the higher taxes, stay for the corruption.’”

Cute.

* One other thing…

The two-pronged push, by the Northwest Indiana Forum and the Indiana Economic Development Corp., was the focus of a press conference Monday afternoon at the Hammond Marina.

So, they announce an Illinois ad blitz in Indiana. What does that tell you? This is as much, if not more, about local consumption by the rubes than it is about Illinois.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Feb 15, 11 @ 11:21 am

Comments

It means we’re 3 years into comrade quinn and other states are spending more energy to take jobs for us than he is to create jobs here. Aside from a few car plants in random parts of the state the guy really hasn’t done much.

At least Daniels and Christie look like they’re trying to do something.

Comment by shore Tuesday, Feb 15, 11 @ 11:26 am
$250,000 of taxpayer money on billboards and other ads? Sounds like a line item that would make it into Illinois Policy Institute’s Piglet Book.

Comment by Montrose Tuesday, Feb 15, 11 @ 11:31 am
Would it be “inappropriate, excessively rabid or gratuitous” to thank you for the phonetic pronunciation of Hoosier Secretary Roob’s name, and to point out the many high profile naming issues surrounding other Indiana officials? http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/harry-baals-respect-fort-wayne-politicians-jack-spratt/story?id=12884857

Comment by Greg Harris Tuesday, Feb 15, 11 @ 11:33 am
LOL. You’re fine.

However, I’m still pronouncing it “Rube” because I want to.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Feb 15, 11 @ 11:36 am
- At least Daniels and Christie look like they’re trying to do something. -

The only thing they’re trying to do is attract votes from people like you who think a CEO is going to decide to relocate a company based on a billboard he passed on his daily commute. Rubes indeed.

Comment by Small Town Liberal Tuesday, Feb 15, 11 @ 11:38 am
Shore, is that all for laughs?

“Comrade” Quinn? Are you running the Winnetka John Birch Society now?

Car plants in “random parts of the state?” I doubt if B-N and Torrance Avenue consider themselves “random.”

“look like they’re trying to do something?” Appearances are important?

The Daniels, Christie and Walker stuff is all for local consumption — but childish and small.

Walker seems to be off of it now, and seems to have a new idea — intimidating state employees with a threatened Guard callup.

I guess that’s a yearning for a return to the good old days, like the Haymarket Affair or the Republic Steel Massacre.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Feb 15, 11 @ 11:42 am
==At least Daniels and Christie look like they’re trying to do something.==

But they only look like they’re doing something.

Comment by Cheryl Tuesday, Feb 15, 11 @ 11:54 am
“At least Daniels and Christie look like they’re trying to do something.”

No. They look like fools. New Jersey’s bond rating was downgraded last week, courtesy of Gov. Christie. And — the Bobby Knight era aside — when has Indiana ever competed successfully with Illinois?

Comment by Northsider Tuesday, Feb 15, 11 @ 11:58 am
Indiana - Come for the rednecks, stay for the KKK.

New Jersey - Come for the mob, stay to find Hoffa’s body!

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Feb 15, 11 @ 11:58 am
- At least Daniels and Christie look like they’re trying to do something. -

Are you suggesting that it is an admirable trait to be a media hog for personal political gain (at the expense of the taxpayer in this case)?

Quinn and DCEO have preserved or created more in a month than this Hoosier campaign will in a year

From DCEO Website:
February 09, 2011
Governor Quinn Announces Manufacturing Company to Expand in Illinois
February 04, 2011
Governor Quinn, Mitsubishi Motors Announce Innovative Partnership to Promote Sustainability
February 04, 2011
Governor Quinn Announces Mitsubishi to Produce New Vehicle in Illinois
January 27, 2011
Governor Quinn Announces Wisconsin-Based American Aluminum Extrusion Opening Facility in Illinois
January 21, 2011
Governor Quinn Announces Agreement to Boost Trade Between Illinois and China
January 21, 2011
Governor Quinn Announces Leading Scrap Metal Recycling Company Will Move to Illinois
January 20, 2011
Governor Quinn Announces Major Steel Company Will Locate North American HQ in Chicago
January 20, 2011
Governor Quinn Welcomes Chinese Delegation, Announces Global Business Agreements
January 17, 2011
Governor Quinn Signs Legislation to Help “Put Illinois to Work” Trainees Gain Permanent Employment

Comment by anonie Tuesday, Feb 15, 11 @ 12:03 pm
Nothing succeeds like “trying”.

Comment by MikeMacD Tuesday, Feb 15, 11 @ 12:15 pm
I say let em go at it. Indiana has invested $250,000.00 in Illinois. New Jersey will probably follow suit. Maybe the GA can pass a tax on the billboards and we can start to make some money on this. It could be called the Rube tax, (ala Rich Miller) it would kinda be like the pillow tax.

Comment by Irish Tuesday, Feb 15, 11 @ 12:28 pm
The Chinese and Indians love this inter-state battle. If we focus on competing against each other, rather than competing against our global competitors, we’re doomed. The midwest is a region. The sooner it begins to think and act like one region, the better we can compete internationally.

Really people. It’s 2011. It’s time we acknowledge that the old ways aren’t going to cut it in the new world economy.

Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Feb 15, 11 @ 12:41 pm
===Bobby Knight era aside — when has Indiana ever competed successfully with Illinois?===
One place they have done real well at competing with us is right next door to that marina that they held the press conference at - The Horseshoe Casino. Along with the 4 other NW Indiana casinos. The Horseshoe itself grosses a half billion a year with 98 percent coming from Illinois. Until we pass a gaming bill putting casinos close to our own residents (downtown, racetracks, south suburbs) Illinois money and the taxes it generates will continue to go across the border.

Comment by Been There Tuesday, Feb 15, 11 @ 12:50 pm
Indiana doesn’t believe in tax increases, well, unless its sales tax increases, and letting locals impose their own income taxes.
Indiana believes in leasing out the tollway for billions of dollars upfront.
If the IL GOP really wants to model itself off Gov. Flanders, file the tollway lease deal.
Looking forward to it.

Comment by piling on Tuesday, Feb 15, 11 @ 1:14 pm
what a silly bunch of Republicans.
Probability of success? ZERO.
Probability of grabbing headlines from gullible media? 100%

Comment by Chicago Cynic Tuesday, Feb 15, 11 @ 1:27 pm
is that Roob(Rohb) as Rube, Robber or Rubarb?

The slogan:
“Come to Indiana, You’ll Be Closer to Gary”

Comment by CircularFiringSquad Tuesday, Feb 15, 11 @ 1:28 pm
If a state can’t generate its own business and has to poach from its neighbors, that doesn’t speak well of the state. After looking at New Jersey’s overall taxes and recent jobs loss, if anyone should be goin’ a-poachin’, it should be Quinn.

Comment by Grandson of Man Tuesday, Feb 15, 11 @ 1:51 pm
I recognize that we’re competing at the global level, but I wonder if the Midwestern states could work together to build a new industrial base that utilizes local resources. Agriculture is the largest industry in Illinois and surrounding states. Perhaps our focus should be on incubating businesses that are developing industrial and chemical products derived from plant matter instead of petroleum. One hundred years ago, most of our society’s fuels, construction materials, textiles, inks, paints, and even synthetic fibers and chemicals were made from plant matter. There are good environmental, economic and national security reasons to return to a “carbohydrate” based economy.

Comment by Going nuclear Tuesday, Feb 15, 11 @ 4:26 pm
Just heard that Wisconsin is refusing 23 million in funds to expand the states broadband capabilities

http://news.google.com/news/more?gl=us&pz=1&cf=all&cf=all&ncl=deSQ-lMm0dl742MZIFrbaLmv0cSzM

Comment by JimF Tuesday, Feb 15, 11 @ 4:35 pm
Mitch has been very disappointing, for a guy who wants to be president.

47 is absolutely right. The Midwest is the best spot on the planet for building an economic powerhouse, by any measure. And the rest of the world knows it.

These trashy, hillbilly endeavors by the likes of Mini-Mitch, Cheesehead Walker and others are small and unworthy of those who came before us and built the global giant that are region is.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Feb 15, 11 @ 5:39 pm
Funny that everyone likes to trash other states when Illinois has about the worst job creation record of any state in USA. The #s are there if you look.

Comment by Dope patrol Tuesday, Feb 15, 11 @ 5:50 pm
I don’t like Quinn (voted for Hynes, wanted to vote for Dillard) but enough from the right wing idiots about the scary “Reds” and “Commrade” crap.

I’m in my 20’s, both of my parents were born in East European communist countries, my uncles were tortured, and my father was spied upon and followed by their secret police when he returned. It’s like people who use Hitler in an argument. Enough already. This isn’t a socialist country no matter how much you listen to the Ditto head.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Feb 15, 11 @ 6:21 pm
–Funny that everyone likes to trash other states when Illinois has about the worst job creation record of any state in USA. The #s are there if you look.–

Dopey, you’re wrong on that, and in probably a number of ways I don’t want to know about it, so let me help you out here.

Illinois is the fifth largest economy among the states, after California, Texas, New York and Florida.

Taking it down to the most basic stupid level, Christie, Walker, Daniels — they started it. Have someone read the papers to you, and you’ll know it’s true.

I don’t like that the trash-talk bothers me. It’s a character flaw. It offends my sense of reason that it does.

But brother, I was brought up in a way that I cannot tolerate someone smacking down my people. I might think you’re a jerk, but if someone else calls you a jerk, we’ve got problems.

I was born here, grew up here, got married here, raised my family here, buried my folks here and invested every dime I’ve ever made here. Take your smack talk somewhere else.

Some trash-talkers start a fight here, I don’t respond reasonably. Like my old man taught me, you don’t start a fight, but you end it.

They can stop with this nonsense any time they want, and we can work together on real business, as we should. Until then, back at you, but worse.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Feb 15, 11 @ 7:39 pm
As a IL resident in my mid 20’s, I see no reason to invest my time for career advancement in Illinois. Most people my age get out of here.

Comment by Freight Train Tuesday, Feb 15, 11 @ 9:30 pm
Amen, Wordslinger. Amen.

Comment by 10th Voter Tuesday, Feb 15, 11 @ 9:40 pm
Freight Train - Don’t worry, you’ll likely find disappointment in your ability to advance no matter where you go. And as another Illinois resident in my mid 20s, go ahead and let that door hit you in the ass on the way out.

Comment by Small Town Liberal Tuesday, Feb 15, 11 @ 10:36 pm