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* Press release…
As Missouri’s right-to-work legislation is signed into law today, Illinois is now surrounded by states with right-to-work laws, and the Illinois Chamber of Commerce is calling on Illinois lawmakers to respond with a strong pro-growth policy agenda.
“As of today, Illinois is now surrounded by states that have right-to-work laws. As pressure increases from other states, it is essential that Illinois responds with a strong pro-growth agenda for jobs and the economy in our state,” said Todd Maisch, Illinois Chamber of Commerce President and CEO. “That doesn’t mean that Illinois has to adopt a right-to-work law. But it does mean that Illinois needs to take strong action on pro-growth policies to help us compete. Other states are becoming more attractive for employers, and Illinois should respond on behalf of our economy.”
The Illinois Chamber of Commerce is calling on state lawmakers to address five key state policy areas that can help accelerate the Illinois economy in 2017. They are:
Enacting pro-growth economic reforms - Illinois tax policy cannot be developed without regard to its effect on Illinois businesses, workers and our economy. Instead, any revenue discussions must be balanced by including corresponding pro-economic growth reforms to help employers and workers. For example, the state could establish tax credits to help small businesses shoulder the cost of bringing on new employees. In addition, the state must immediately restore the Illinois Economic Development for a Growing Economy Tax Credit Program (the EDGE tax credit) that helps attract investment and job creation and retention in the state.
Reforming Illinois’ unfair workers’ compensation system - The current workers’ compensation system in Illinois is tilted far out of balance. Employers throughout the state continue to call for reform of the system because it hurts the ability of Illinois employers to create – and even maintain – jobs here. Reforming the system can restore balance, reduce employers’ costs for insurance, and no longer allow workers’ compensation costs to be an obstacle to growing a business in Illinois.
Rejecting anti-competitive proposals – Lawmakers should do no further harm to our state’s jobs climate. Proposals that pile more requirements on employers in our state adversely affect Illinois businesses and make our state less competitive with others. These shortsighted proposals would only move Illinois in the wrong direction and lawmakers must reject them.
Working together on common sense regulatory issues – When state Democrats and Republicans worked together, they have enacted important regulatory reforms for the state. In fact, the Illinois Chamber has led initiatives that reduce costs and make government more responsive. In 2017, legislators can finally modernize the state’s outdated telecommunications law to drive more investment in modern technologies and networks to benefit those who rely on them: Illinois businesses, consumers and public safety officials.
Focusing on education outcomes and workforce preparation - While K-12 education funding gets most of the headlines out of Springfield, Illinois must avoid being dragged into an education debate that strictly focuses on who pays more, who pays less, whose communities receive more and whose receive less. Illinois must ask tougher questions if we are to improve our economy, respect taxpayers and live up to our obligations to the next generation. State policymakers must be focused on improving educational outcomes and supporting students interested in careers that do not require a four-year college degree. Those goals must be in sight before we begin a new discussion about education funding, not the other way around.
“These reforms will re-establish balance and help Illinois become more competitive. By enacting them in 2017, we believe Illinois can better compete with other states and begin living up to its full economic potential,” Maisch said.
Notice how they dumped on the governor’s education funding reform commission?
Also, Maisch mentioned a progressive tax proposal that was recently introduced in the Senate as being a non-starter. He also dissed the “opportunity tax” idea and dismissed the Senate’s grand bargain for not doing nearly enough. “We are open to the idea of additional revenues. We are. But that seems to be the first thing people want to talk about,” he said.
Maisch told reporters that the Senate’s proposal is “out of whack,” and “out of balance.”
“My members will tell me when they think there’s a package that’s worthy of their support,” he said.
* Subscribers can watch the press conference with their special password. Click here.
* Meanwhile…
Cullerton says grand bargain plan now only has 12 bills; no minimum wage.
— Tina Sfondeles (@TinaSfon) February 6, 2017
But Cullerton said there's hope to pass a separate minimum wage bill outside of package.
— Tina Sfondeles (@TinaSfon) February 6, 2017
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Feb 6, 17 @ 1:57 pm
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Where is Ohio, a Midwest state on RTW?
Is Ohio in the Midwest?
Asking, seriously, for a friend.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Feb 6, 17 @ 2:03 pm
–“My members will tell me when they think there’s a package that’s worthy of their support,” he said.–
Uh-huh. They’re the boss. Like they told you to go all out for Ken Dunkin.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Feb 6, 17 @ 2:04 pm
It’s instructive that when discussing a graduted income tax, Maisch doesn’t want to compare Illinois to surrounding states. That’s because they already have graduated rates in Iowa, Wisconsin, Missouri and Kentucky. If the Land of Lincoln needs to emulate our neighbors when it comes to RTW, why not with a graduated income tax?
Comment by Anon Monday, Feb 6, 17 @ 2:07 pm
This is a good thing for Illinois communities near the Missouri border. As is now the case for the side of Illinois which borders Indiana, these towns will benefit from limited out of state employment for Illinois residents.
It’s better than nothing. Illinois will never reform on its own. National RTW is the only way we will see reform in this way.
Comment by Deep South Monday, Feb 6, 17 @ 2:09 pm
So Maisch. What are you going to blame when we have national right to work? Your excuse is an affront
Comment by Honeybear Monday, Feb 6, 17 @ 2:17 pm
So now all the skilled workers can come together in IL and avoid the whack jobs in the surroundin’ states.
Comment by Annonin' Monday, Feb 6, 17 @ 2:25 pm
How would a right to work advisory referendum do? My guess is that it could be overwhelmingly supported or rejected depending on the language used.
The pro-RTW crowd has done a tremendous marketing job, starting with the term “Right to work”
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Feb 6, 17 @ 2:27 pm
Checks map on what states surround Illinois. Does not see Ohio touching Illinois.
From a friend to pass along to a friend.
Comment by Piece of Work Monday, Feb 6, 17 @ 2:28 pm
If Maisch wants a response, let’s start the dialogue by recognizing that Illinois’ economy vastly outperforms neighboring states. In terms of efficiency and productivity, our state boasts the highest GDP per capita in the Midwest. The rest are not even close.
Maisch is right that a discussion about education should not focus solely on the idea that every child is going to a four year university. But every child, regardless of income or zip code, deserves a public education system that let’s them choose their own future.
That said, there is no reason you can’t be a computer technician AND get a 4-year college degree. Right now, the state if failing to give most students a chance to be either.
Comment by Free Set of Steak Knives Monday, Feb 6, 17 @ 2:34 pm
“As of today, Illinois is now surrounded by states that have right-to-work laws.”
We’re also surrounded by states with budgets and the higher degree of cash flow certainty that comes with the budget process. It may not be perfect, but at least their vendors and service providers can reasonably expect payment.
Comment by Fairness and Fairness Only Monday, Feb 6, 17 @ 2:36 pm
Free…..”most” might be a stretch
Comment by Blue dog dem Monday, Feb 6, 17 @ 2:40 pm
Illinois has more in common with Ohio, in the Midwest than any of the border states.
We want to be more like Indiana and less like Ohio?
More like Pence’s Indiana, Walker’s Wisconsin, and less like Kasich’s Ohio?
That’s not a winning argument.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Feb 6, 17 @ 2:42 pm
FACT: Illinois has a higher GDP per capita then all of its neighboring states AND the USA as a whole:
SOURCE:
https://www.statista.com/statistics/248063/per-capita-us-real-gross-domestic-product-gdp-by-state/
The Chamber is a fraud, ignore them!
Comment by Man on the Moon Monday, Feb 6, 17 @ 2:47 pm
Illinois has a higher per capital income due to Chicago, where manufacturing is not particularly important anymore. The rest of Illinois is an economic basket case similar to West Virginia.
Comment by Ron Monday, Feb 6, 17 @ 3:10 pm
The so called Right To Work legislation is completely anti-worker and anti-union.
This legislation forces unions to provide services for free to those who do not want to pay.
Defund unions = Defund Democrats
No unions means no middle class.
Comment by Chicago 20 Monday, Feb 6, 17 @ 3:30 pm
Why restore EDGE? It was already extended.
Comment by Honeybear Monday, Feb 6, 17 @ 4:03 pm
So wouldn’t all workers be members of a union if they thought it delivered an actual benefit? I don’t get it. I, like millions of others, join a variety of organizations at varying fees because we support what they do…their mission. It seems that the unions have done a lousy job selling their benefits. And instead they use coercion and/or laws like we have here to force workers to pay up. Interesting
Comment by Julian's Melange Monday, Feb 6, 17 @ 4:28 pm
==they use coercion==
Do you force anyone to take a union job? The answer is no. If someone doesn’t like unions they don’t have to take a union job. Problem solved.
Comment by Demoralized Monday, Feb 6, 17 @ 4:42 pm
Missouri & the other surrounding states have a graduated income tax. Therefore, Illinois needs to pass a graduated income tax to be more like our neighboring states.
Comment by Mama Monday, Feb 6, 17 @ 5:21 pm
The so called RTW “Right To Work” will reduce state revenue. When you make less you pay less taxes. IL can not afford less state revenues.
Correct me if I’m wrong.
Comment by Mama Monday, Feb 6, 17 @ 5:24 pm
- ” It seems that the unions have done a lousy job selling their benefits.”
Maybe you should broaden your horizons and look elsewhere for your sources of information.
What other nonprofit organizations are forced by law to provide their services for free?
https://www.unionplus.org/page/benefits-union-membership
Union Membership Gives Strength in Numbers
All workers benefit from unions, because unions set pay standards and workplace protections. Union members — workers like you — benefit most from the union’s collective bargaining power to negotiate with employers on their behalf. This basic right gives you as a union member more power than if you tried to negotiate as an individual.
Comment by Chicago 20 Monday, Feb 6, 17 @ 5:25 pm
“All workers benefit from unions, because unions set pay standards and workplace protections. Union members — workers like you — benefit most from the union’s collective bargaining power ………”
But if we can’t persuade you we’ll just compel you to join.
Comment by CapnCrunch Monday, Feb 6, 17 @ 6:18 pm
Crunch - No one is compelled to become a union member, it’s a freedom of association choice.
Comment by Chicago 20 Monday, Feb 6, 17 @ 7:00 pm
Mama, check out the surrounding state’s real estate taxes, sales taxes, workman comp rates,etc. and report back
Comment by Piece of work Monday, Feb 6, 17 @ 9:52 pm
Am I the only person who read this and noticed Mr. Masich also seems to be running away from the fact that Illinois is one of the few states that also do not tax any form of retirement income?
Comment by Lynn S. Tuesday, Feb 7, 17 @ 1:10 am
The Illinois Chamber of Commerce piece are like icing on a cake… god only knows the reforms they are pushing.
No facts.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Feb 7, 17 @ 8:17 am
Just change it to get rid of freeriders. Everyone can understand the idea of paying dues for benefits. Everyone should be able to accept that if dues become optional you lose the benefits if you don’t pay your dues. Problem solved.
Comment by Anon Tuesday, Feb 7, 17 @ 8:18 am