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* CNBC…
To rank America’s Top States for Business in 2021, CNBC scored all 50 states on 85 metrics in 10 broad categories of competitiveness. Each category is weighted based on how frequently states use them as a selling point in economic development marketing materials. That way, our study ranks the states based on the attributes they use to sell themselves. We developed our criteria and metrics in consultation with a diverse array of business and policy experts, and the states. Our study is not an opinion survey. We use data from a variety of sources to measure the states’ performance. Under our methodology, states can earn a maximum of 2,500 points. The states with the most are America’s Top States for Business.
* There’s some really good (and surprising) news and some not so good (and unsurprising) news in here. But the state’s overall ranking has really shot up…
* The above link was sent to me from someone in the governor’s office who offered up this accompanying commentary…
So let me get this straight: A Democratic governor led Illinois to two credit upgrades and helped vault us from bottom half to top third of states to do business in?
Just wanna make sure I got that right.
Your own thoughts?
…Adding… Related…
* Pritzker announces $8 mil. expansion of Apprenticeship Illinois program
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jul 13, 21 @ 12:10 pm
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I’m with Jordan on this. I had to do a double take! Great job, JB!
Comment by Disappointed Voter Tuesday, Jul 13, 21 @ 12:19 pm
When some folks, even here, decide we’re “last” this, “last” that, “worst” this…
… watch to see if those *same* folks see this (and all the other better news) as a positive… or continue the “but” part… and try to drag the state *back* to a place the good news says is not happening.
Watch.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 13, 21 @ 12:20 pm
Cue Wirepoints/Centersquare article: “CNBC grade Illinois Economy and Business friendliness an F”
Comment by Soo.... Tuesday, Jul 13, 21 @ 12:22 pm
It’s getting harder and harder out here for the “but Illinois still sucks” folks and for the folks who make their living off of continued outrage.
Comment by wildcat12 Tuesday, Jul 13, 21 @ 12:23 pm
Come on, everyone knows CNBC is run by Antifa. This is great news for the state.
Comment by Hmm Tuesday, Jul 13, 21 @ 12:23 pm
My first thought.
No snark. Sincerely.
“I’m frustrated too, but taking steps to reform Illinois is more important than a short term budget stalemate”
Why?
If you think about the wholly created impasse, the truth The Owl tweeted, the dishonesty to the purposeful destruction of Illinois… only to stop if Labor was destroyed…
… the idea that the negative and punishing of Illinois is what needed to end… to see positives like this and other positives to be realized.
What will Raunerites do? They still “frustrated”. I bet they are.
They sold their souls (and voting switches) and this “turnaround”… the party of “No” reaps no glory, sees no fruits of the labor, and Labor… in the end realized being United makes a better state and a better chance for them too.
So, there won’t be much Hooting from the Raunerites, the continued party of “No”… they should give a hoot that the politics… and now the policy… is not the friend of those who sold out themselves and this state for a costume-wearing phony who left Illinois becsuse he couldn’t find someone to run on the ruin he made in 4 years.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 13, 21 @ 12:29 pm
No way that quote came from Jordan…the dripping sarcastic arrogance is more Christian Mitchell-esque. Also OW is still talking about Ron Sandack…in other shocking news, the sun came up again today.
Comment by Double V Tuesday, Jul 13, 21 @ 12:36 pm
I think we have a G A that is not business friendly.. and I’m a resident of Chicago, and I’m not keeping my business downtown .. it’s not safe.
Comment by Wow Tuesday, Jul 13, 21 @ 12:36 pm
Not sure how they came up with the numbers, but the high scores on Education and Tech were great news.
If we can get these two things right the State of Illinois can have a bright future.
As to Business Friendliness, what is is more friendly than a high ranking educational system and a high ranking Tech and Innovation system.
Comment by Back to the Future Tuesday, Jul 13, 21 @ 12:38 pm
===Ron Sandack===
“Who?”
- Double V -
Is this good or bad news? I don’t think you said.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 13, 21 @ 12:38 pm
Wow: the GA is in charge of downtown safety?
Comment by Socially DIstant watcher Tuesday, Jul 13, 21 @ 12:39 pm
I guess the JB stands for “Jobs & Business”
Comment by Shield Tuesday, Jul 13, 21 @ 12:42 pm
First credit upgrade in twenty years? Check.
Balanced budgets? Check.
Developing EV ecosystem? Check.
Rapid upgrade in business climate? Check.
Wrong track dropping and right track rising? Check.
Great case for the GOP to make against JB.
Comment by Chicago Cynic Tuesday, Jul 13, 21 @ 12:44 pm
Thoughts are: this doesn’t align with ILGOP’s talking points.
Economy and Business Friendliness still receiving F’s, however, so I think I know what their next press release will be.
Comment by Anthony Tuesday, Jul 13, 21 @ 12:45 pm
Pro-business means the state properly funding education, infrastructure, etc., and paying its bills. We clearly have improved. Corporations who relocate here cite education and infrastructure as being very important—and who opposes the state reducing its bill backlog?
More crickets about our improvement from the “pro business” folks. They dread our successes, because they invalidate right wing policy ideas.
Comment by Grandson of Man Tuesday, Jul 13, 21 @ 12:45 pm
Let’s not break our arms patting ourselves on the back, folks. We’re still rated 48th out of 50 (F grade) on Economy. And that’s down three points since 2019.
Happy for the positive news, but there’s a long way to go. Perhaps the Economy and Life/Health/Inclusion ratings would have been better if the Fair Tax would have passed. Minnesota’s got one and they’re ranked number 7.
Comment by Dysfunction Junction Tuesday, Jul 13, 21 @ 12:50 pm
Apparently “business-friendly” is code for a climate that gives business huge tax breaks, crushes labor rights and wage and safety laws, removes environmental protection and zoning, while publicly funding infrastructure that businesses need.. but don’t want to pay for, themselves.
Just making sure we have the code phrasing down right. Lost my Tribune editorial board score card after the recent sale.
Comment by Give Us Barabbas Tuesday, Jul 13, 21 @ 1:01 pm
== As to Business Friendliness, what is is more friendly than a high ranking educational system and a high ranking Tech and Innovation system. ==
Lower taxes, less regulation, and a better economy to name a few.
Comment by Occasional Quipper Tuesday, Jul 13, 21 @ 1:04 pm
Cost of doing business is a C+ but Business Friendly is an F? So… what? Is that just you don’t give us enough corporate tax breaks?
Comment by High Socks Tuesday, Jul 13, 21 @ 1:06 pm
Two of the key points that government can have a impact on in this list are economy and business friendly. Illinois earned an F on both of those. While there are other points to brag about, those are 2 key ones that they should pay close attention to…and maybe listen to some voices other than those in the Gov inner circle.
Comment by Suburbs Tuesday, Jul 13, 21 @ 1:07 pm
Looked at the weighted scale of the two scorecards. Looks like the 2021 weighting for the top two metrics, “cost of doing business” and “infrastructure” increased from 2019 to 2021, and Illinois made gains in those two sectors (particularly infrastructure).
Meanwhile, the weighting for the 2019 top two metrics “workforce” and “economy” dropped in 2021, as did our score for those metrics. Our gains are maximized and losses minimized due to the weight change from 2019 to 2021.
Regardless, it’s welcome news. Although, I’m not sure I would be doing victory laps quite yet.
Comment by Phenomynous Tuesday, Jul 13, 21 @ 1:20 pm
Ranked #1 for infrastructure? I don’t see it… unless all other 49 states are crumbling even worse/faster.
Comment by Morningstar Tuesday, Jul 13, 21 @ 1:29 pm
So, 15th best of business, but ranks 48th for “Economy” and 48th for “Business Friendliness”? Sounds like the facts don’t fit the mindset.
Comment by Chuck Tuesday, Jul 13, 21 @ 1:34 pm
=== Happy for the positive news, but there’s a long way to go.===
Who exactly said there wasn’t?
=== Ranked #1 for infrastructure? I don’t see it… unless all other 49 states are crumbling even worse/faster.===
Prolly why there’s a national push for, you guessed it, infrastructure.
=== Two of the key points that government can have a impact on in this list are economy and business friendly.===
This is like saying any President is responsible for the Dow Jones…
As to business friendly? Yeah, “I’m frustrated too… “… and it’s still good news.
=== Although, I’m not sure I would be doing victory laps quite yet.===
Sincerely… where are these victory laps? Can I watch them, or are they like “submarine races”?
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 13, 21 @ 1:36 pm
In the methodology, Cost of Doing Business is explained as being about taxes, and Business Friendliness is about the legal and regulatory framework. As a consumer I think the second category is one where I don’t mind a low grade.
Comment by KSDinCU Tuesday, Jul 13, 21 @ 1:57 pm
This is like one of the those “happiest countries in the world” or “best places to retire” lists. They are mildly interesting but can’t be taken all that seriously.
I don’t think there is any question, though, that Illinois remains a good place to work or do business. We have some challenges, but I’d much rather live here during my working career than most other states. Retirement is a different issue, though. The summers are too humid, and the winters are too cold.
Comment by Pelonski Tuesday, Jul 13, 21 @ 1:57 pm
With all of its natural advantages, Illinois should rank with Texas, Tennessee and North Carolina.
The only things JB and the state government can actually control, the report ranks the state poorly.
The state government’s impact on business is like asking LeBron James to play basketball while wearing 10 lb ankle weights. Could he do it? Sure. He’d also rank among the middle of the pack in the NBA, rather than one of the best players in history.
Comment by JB13 Tuesday, Jul 13, 21 @ 2:03 pm
Take the good news while you can get it. As a famous Illinoisan once said, stop wishing for bad luck.
Comment by Friendly Bob Adams Tuesday, Jul 13, 21 @ 2:05 pm
===Texas, Tennessee===
What are those states thoughts to organized labor?
Texas and that “federal bailout” nonsense when looking for help after the grid crisis… I mean…
===North Carolina===
… getting bluer by the minute. Why?
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 13, 21 @ 2:07 pm
=== As a famous Illinoisan once said, stop wishing for bad luck===
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJVFY_LX9Ik
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jul 13, 21 @ 2:09 pm
Isn’t it amazing what can happen with steady leadership and gradual change to right the ship.
Comment by Manchester Tuesday, Jul 13, 21 @ 2:14 pm
“Lower taxes, less regulation, and a better economy to name a few.” You forgot lower minimum wage, and right-to-work to your to your right-wing manifesto. Show me a business that doesn’t pass the cost of a tax on to its customers. And regulations don’t come out of a vacuum, they’re there because someone got hurt.
Comment by Skeptic Tuesday, Jul 13, 21 @ 2:28 pm
Illinois - Hey, we aren’t 130 degrees, and we’ve got plenty of water…that’s what I’d be advertising at the present moment.
Comment by PublicServant Tuesday, Jul 13, 21 @ 2:30 pm
“Isn’t it amazing what can happen with steady leadership and gradual change to right the ship”
And a commitment to proper government funding and paying bills.
California has a big budget surplus and is investing in itself, instead of austerity. Republican states are ending pandemic unemployment benefits. Christian states are grabbing the poorest by the ankles and shaking every extra tax penny out of their pockets. California is expanding stimulus payments and helping small businesses, landlords, renters, et al. Will this be a panacea? No. Could other problems arise? Yes. But many people’s lives will be improved.
Comment by Grandson of Man Tuesday, Jul 13, 21 @ 2:41 pm
Infrastructure - Let’s face it, it had to take very little to be #1. A new I-74 bridge across the Mississippi River is being completed - that alone probably put us first.
Comment by RIJ Tuesday, Jul 13, 21 @ 3:10 pm
Public Servant, several doctors have advised me to move to a sunnier, drier clime for health reasons. I must live in a blue state so I don’t have a mental meltdown or stroke. That means the southwest, and water insecurity is a big concern. On the other hand, if it gets that bad, northern Illinois will be invaded for its water resources, first by increasing migration, and perhaps eventually by aggression. (But I don’t expect it to get that bad until after I’m gone.)
Comment by RIJ Tuesday, Jul 13, 21 @ 3:20 pm
Rich, did you miss Illinois getting an “F” in business friendly?
Comment by Just Saying Tuesday, Jul 13, 21 @ 3:20 pm
===Rich, did you miss===
Um, I posted it, doofus.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jul 13, 21 @ 3:21 pm
It’s only because all the people leaving Illinois took the bad stuff with them. S/
Comment by Bruce( no not him) Tuesday, Jul 13, 21 @ 3:31 pm
I wonder how we went from 33rd in education to 10th?
The largest school district in the state has essentially been remote for the last 18 months and I have read that many of the CPS students never turn on their computers during remote learning sessions. So how did we make such gains in education when school has been almost turned off for the year and half?
Comment by Groucho Tuesday, Jul 13, 21 @ 3:37 pm
The fluctuations in some of the rankings between 2019 and 2021 are pretty large. Infrastructure rankings for NM and VT dropped over 20 places but NY and NJ were up over 30.
Workforce ranking for OH is down 21 but OK is up 17. Economy is down 22 in Oregon but up 22 in Montana. What could have happened in such a short time to warrant a drastic change in any category?
Comment by City Zen Tuesday, Jul 13, 21 @ 3:40 pm
I am still waiting to see Illinois’ ranking on a BuzzFeed list.
Comment by Snarkie from Schaumburg Tuesday, Jul 13, 21 @ 3:49 pm
===What could have happened in such a short time to warrant a drastic change in any category?===
Elections… global pandemic…
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 13, 21 @ 3:49 pm
==Elections… global pandemic…==
I don’t think so. Rankings go back to 2007 and show Illinois improving 9 slots one year under Blago and slipping 11 one year under Quinn.
With so many categories, I’d think the overall rankings would be smoother year over year, but that hasn’t been the case.
BTW, our previous best ranking was #19 under Bruce.
Comment by City Zen Tuesday, Jul 13, 21 @ 4:06 pm
===I don’t think so.===
Rauner refused to sign 3 budgets, held hostage the state, and lost… to a governor who has budgets, infrastructure, and the backlog reduced.
And… a global pandemic, only seen once in a century?
You don’t think do?
“Ok”
lol
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 13, 21 @ 4:09 pm
This is great news. If we’re that far ahead of states like AZ then population growth is possible. That would definitely help bolster business growth.
Comment by SSL Tuesday, Jul 13, 21 @ 4:22 pm
You can thank the feds for the credit upgrade…all that $$$$.
JB’s policies had nothing to do with it.
Also, take note of the last 3 items in the rankings. Those are not pro business scores.
Comment by Old Lobster Tuesday, Jul 13, 21 @ 4:57 pm
Agree with Soo…2 Fs One in economy and one in business friendly. We have great infrastructure, but nobody wants to come to a 2F state.
Comment by LaSalle County Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 5:23 am