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Pritzker says protecting rights “seeps into the groundwater” and will eventually boost state’s economy

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* Let’s circle back to Gov. Pritzker’s one-hour Q&A during yesterday’s Crain’s Fast 50 Business Luncheon. The moderator was referring here to policies like abortion rights…

Q: You’ve been a pretty staunch advocate that you think Illinois is on the right side of these policies. And that that’s actually a net benefit to us in attracting people and companies. But you’ve also got things like Caterpillar moving its headquarters down to Texas, which, you know, is moving in the opposite direction. And people really ask the question when it comes to economic development, when it comes to headquarters moves, is the bottom line wins over everything? Do you still think that those policies, you know, pay off for us economically?

Pritzker: Well, let me remind you that, just like with population, you have some people that leave a state, other people that come to a state. You’re looking for a net positive. And that’s what we’ve had with our population growth. The same thing is true about job growth, the availability of jobs. We’re going to have ebbs and flows of business and companies.

But the goal here is to make sure that we’re attracting people and businesses. The policies that you’re referring to, I’m not suggesting that these are economic development policies, but fighting for a woman’s right to choose, fighting for LGBTQ rights, fighting for individual rights and civil rights. I mean, these are fundamental beliefs of mine. I think this is what the people of Illinois believe in as well. That’s why I’m fighting for them.

Do they - this is the question that I answered in a Chicago Tribune interview - Do they also help us attract people and businesses? Yes, they do. That the very people who are coming into the high-growth businesses that we’re stoking the fires of in Illinois, biotechnology, technology, I’ve talked about some of them today. The people that are looking for those kinds of high-talent jobs, these are people who don’t want to live in Texas because they’ve taken away a woman’s right to choose. They don’t want to live in Missouri, they don’t want to live in Oklahoma, they don’t want to live in Florida, where they’re taking away people’s rights. And so they’re going to their companies in Texas and Florida and elsewhere and they’re saying to their bosses, ‘What do I do when I need to go exercise my reproductive health,’ for example.

Now, companies sometimes are creating programs, ‘We’ll fly you out of state’ - you may have read about this - ‘to help you get the rights that you deserve, right to get the treatment that you need.’ But eventually, you’ve got to, you know, you want to put your business where not only your employees are satisfied with and happy with the environment they’re living in, but also where you’ve got a bunch of highly talented workers already pre-existing.

That’s what Illinois is, right? We’re a state that stands up for people’s rights. And we’ve got a bunch of highly talented workers. So yeah, I do think in the long run it benefits the state of Illinois.

Does it happen overnight? Like everything, right, creating one tax incentive or creating a benefit for individuals and protecting people’s rights. That’s something that seeps into the groundwater, in my view, for workers and for companies.

And eventually, and I can say this about the film industry, we just announced about an hour or two ago, that Illinois now has had a record amount of revenue produced as a result of film and television and advertising investment that’s been made in the state of Illinois. So, you know, more than ever before, we’re having people come here. One of the reasons for that, and I hear this from producers, is because their talent wants to be in Illinois. They don’t want to be in Georgia, where they’re taking away people’s voting rights and their LGBTQ rights and their reproductive rights. They don’t want to be in those places. They do want to be here. And that’s just a kind of leading indicator, if you ask me.

Q: They’re also very big fans of incentives, as I recall, right?

Pritzker: And we have a competitive incentive here with other states. So yeah, I mean, look, I get it, I was a businessman before I was governor. I get it, people want incentives. But it is, what I am hearing is good. We’re competitive in our incentives. And so that’s a reason for people to consider here. But the thing that really confirms it for them is that the people who are working for them are here, want to be in Illinois while they’re making these productions, and that we have the talent. DePaul is producing talent. We’ve got Cinespace and other studios that have been created in Illinois. We’re a great environment for that industry. And again, it’s the highest it’s a record amount of revenue that’s been created as a result of our … film and TV tax [credit].

* Related…

* Illinois sets record for film, television production revenues in 2021: Projected film production revenue in Illinois in 2021 hit a record high of $630 million shattering pre-pandemic levels in 2019 by $70 million

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jun 17, 22 @ 12:55 pm

Comments

Equity, inclusion, and diversity are not just corporate buzzwords, they’re good for business. Companies know this. The best companies will be those that represent and reflect society as a whole as it exists today and will tomorrow. And they’ll look for employees with these characteristics. Tax incentives and inducements are nice but at the end of the day an organization is nothing more than a collection of talented people. I can’t think of many companies that think how do we make ourselves more relevant by turning the clock back 50 years?

Pritzker gets it.

Comment by Pundent Friday, Jun 17, 22 @ 1:03 pm
=They don’t want to be in Georgia, where they’re taking away people’s voting rights=

The narrative that Georgia’s recent voting law is suppressing the vote or limiting voter rights is not supported by the turnout.

Georgia’s secretary of state…unofficial election results 1.9 million eligible voters cast a ballot in Georgia’s gubernatorial primary, compared 1.2 million in 2018.

Comment by Donnie Elgin Friday, Jun 17, 22 @ 1:13 pm
Good comprehensive discussion from the Gov. And the entertainment industry increasing here is fantastic, for the economy and for the local acting and producing Community.

Comment by Amalia Friday, Jun 17, 22 @ 1:14 pm
=== * Illinois sets record for film, television production revenues in 2021: Projected film production revenue in Illinois in 2021 hit a record high of $630 million shattering pre-pandemic levels in 2019 by $70 million===

It’s a good tread.

Hopefully we can see more of this soon.

Keep in mind that Georgia film and television production did see some filming make other choices than Georgia in the wake of some Georgia “choices”

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 17, 22 @ 1:19 pm
===Hopefully we can see more of this soon===

Heh.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jun 17, 22 @ 1:22 pm
People may always complain about Illinois taxes but, in all honesty, I’m more than happy paying them if it means living in a state that protects a woman’s right to choose, that works to expand voting rights, and values our LGBTQ community.

Comment by Blue to the Bone Friday, Jun 17, 22 @ 1:22 pm
The people that are looking for those kinds of high-talent jobs, these are people who don’t want to live in Texas because they’ve taken away a woman’s right to choose.

Complete hogwash

Texas has risen above California as the nation’s top exporter of technology and since 2010 687,000 California residents have moved there

https://www.hi-reit.com/moving-to-texas/

Comment by Lucky Pierre Friday, Jun 17, 22 @ 1:25 pm
===and since 2010===

You missed the point entirely.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jun 17, 22 @ 1:25 pm
I was just having a kind of debate with someone the other day who is trying to talk about taxes having low taxes blah blah. But if you move to Texas then you can’t get an abortion, if you have a trans child and try to help them you’ll be put in jail, there are more guns on the street then there are people, gay marriage is soon going to be under attack, etc. Also, our taxes pay for services that you can get in Illinois that aren’t available in Texas because we do a pretty darn good job of trying to take care of vulnerable people. Good luck with that in Texas. Very happy to call Illinois my home.

Comment by Shytown Friday, Jun 17, 22 @ 1:26 pm
==Complete hogwash==

Hey look everyone, the guy who was bragging about Rick Caruso leading the LA Mayor’s race when there was still 500k votes to count is back to throw more stats at us.

Lucky Pierre, you should probably sit out any play that involves numbers since Karen Bass is now in the lead.

The fact is, the Tribune/Rauner “we must let bosses treat workers like crap to stop the Illinois population drain” was pretty completely disproven by…well, the lack of a population drain. So maybe these cultural factors are worth a try. Employers themselves sure seem to think they’re valuable, just check any brand’s twitter avatar this month.

But as always, since you are saying that workers need to take a paycut to attract new corporations to the Loop…

You first.

Comment by Arsenal Friday, Jun 17, 22 @ 1:44 pm
There is no indication so far these companies are pulling up stakes in Texas because of abortion law.

Companies like Tesla and many others are paying employees expenses for out of state medical procedures including abortions

Comment by Lucky Pierre Friday, Jun 17, 22 @ 1:45 pm
==I was just having a kind of debate with someone the other day who is trying to talk about taxes having low taxes==

Also, “taxes” are only a single axis to measure things on. I’ve got family in FL. The amount of other costs they have to endure- fees, regulations, or simply going through the private sector for services I get covered by the state- almost entirely offset whatever they save on taxes. Maybe they live too high on the hog (I’d argue there’s some conspicuous consumption here, but that might just be family drama), but the point of low taxes, of *government*, really, is to let people live a nice life. Heck, just yesterday Florida announced that no state resources will be used to help people vaccinate their kids.

So just looking at a state income tax really doesn’t tell you much.

Comment by Arsenal Friday, Jun 17, 22 @ 1:49 pm
Journal had article yesterday too 5 gainers/losers of manufacturing jobs. Texas Florida we’re in top 5 gainers. Illinois was in the bottom 5. Most People don’t decide where to live based on whether you can get an abortion but on where you have best chance of economic progress for your family

Comment by Sue Friday, Jun 17, 22 @ 1:51 pm
Shytown - you don’t get it because you don’t want to get it. Maybe the reason we need so many services for vulnerable people is because we have so many vulnerable people because they don’t have jobs.

Please explain to me your reasoning why we have higher unemployment than our peers is so awesome.

Comment by Just Me 2 Friday, Jun 17, 22 @ 1:53 pm
I believe civil rights do impact business success and attractiveness over time. But fiscal health, which is also getting better in Illinois, seeps into the environment as well.

Both are good investments for the future of business in our state..

Comment by walker Friday, Jun 17, 22 @ 1:54 pm
Actually it looks to me like LP got the point and succinctly refuted it.

Comment by Captain Obvious Friday, Jun 17, 22 @ 2:15 pm
Governor Pritzker: Say the unthinkable (to you) happens and you lose the general election. Who is more likely to dismantle your inclusive policies–Richard Irvin or Darren Bailey? Asking for a friend.

Comment by SAP Friday, Jun 17, 22 @ 2:21 pm
===no indication so far===

Again, you completely missed the point.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jun 17, 22 @ 2:29 pm
Prediction for turnout: older white people will vote in higher proportion than younger voters and voters of color. Because of the contested Governor’s race, the energy is on the R side. Still, many more Democratic ballots will be cast than Republicans. Turnout will be less than 40% overall.

Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Jun 17, 22 @ 2:33 pm
Dang it. Wrong thread.

Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Jun 17, 22 @ 2:34 pm
= Maybe the reason we need so many services for vulnerable people is because we have so many vulnerable people because they don’t have jobs.=

Nah. That’s just an excuse that’s offered up as a reason for people to take lousy jobs. You’re missing the larger point, and it goes well beyond abortion. A state that passes laws and governs itself so only “people like us” want to live there will see that its a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Comment by Pundent Friday, Jun 17, 22 @ 2:39 pm
== Most People don’t decide where to live based on whether you can get an abortion ==

Because, putatively, you can do that everywhere right now.

Might not be the case in a month.

Comment by Arsenal Friday, Jun 17, 22 @ 2:43 pm
== Companies like Tesla and many others are paying employees expenses for out of state medical procedures including abortions==

Which is something Pritzker mentioned in his answer, but it’s not at all surprising to discover that you didn’t read it before reciting your boss’ talking points.

Comment by Arsenal Friday, Jun 17, 22 @ 2:52 pm
=Companies like Tesla and many others are paying employees expenses for out of state medical procedures including abortions=

No company can create it’s own political ecosystem. And people don’t live at the Tesla headquarters. Kids go to local schools, parents have to deal with bigotry and hatred in their communities. Musk can try and buck the trend by enacting a policy hear or there. But a state that’s intent on moving backwards won’t be to the liking of his employees in the long term, regardless of what their income taxes are.

And if you’re a person that is solely consumed with your tax bill to the exclusion of everything else that’s happening around you, you’re probably pretty miserable.

Comment by Pundent Friday, Jun 17, 22 @ 3:13 pm
And BTW, since Tesla seems to have worked it’s way into the thread, it might not be the best company to cite when it comes to happy workers.

https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/tesla-investor-sues-musk-board-over-accusation-workplace-discrimination-2022-06-17/

Comment by Pundent Friday, Jun 17, 22 @ 3:24 pm
=== I’ve got family in FL. The amount of other costs they have to endure- fees, regulations, or simply going through the private sector for services I get covered by the state- almost entirely offset whatever they save on taxes.===

Someone made the point the other day that people don’t want to live in Deerfield because of the taxes, which, no, that is literally exactly why they move to Deerfield. Sending your kids to a top college-prep high school for free because you pay high property taxes is a bargain compared to having to pay for a private college prep school. People move to Chicago’s North Shore because of the schools, which are funded by the high property taxes.

When I lived in the south, I was continually amazed how people would work so hard to dismantle local laws and services — there was basically no code enforcement where I lived — and then move into HOAs with outrageously high fees and send their kids to super-expensive private schools, because they didn’t want to live next to somebody with the car up on blocks in the yard and didn’t want to send their kids to underresourced schools, but somehow paying more to acquire those services privately was morally superior to just paying taxes?

Comment by Suburban Mom Friday, Jun 17, 22 @ 3:31 pm
Maybe JB should remind the Texas employees who are in Chicago getting their abortions they can also take advantage of some other things that are banned in Texas-like pot and non Indian reservation casino gambling

Comment by Lucky Pierre Friday, Jun 17, 22 @ 3:48 pm
===Maybe JB should remind===

Maybe he should. Lots of people enjoy cannabis and a bit of gambling without worry of being arrested.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jun 17, 22 @ 4:00 pm
== Lots of people enjoy cannabis and a bit of gambling without worry of being arrested.==

“Come enjoy your vices without the state hammering you” has certainly helped Vegas grow and grow and grow.

Comment by Arsenal Friday, Jun 17, 22 @ 4:05 pm
===like pot and non Indian reservation casino gambling===

What is so off with your alleged slight…

… you see popular things as bad.

Legalizing both gambling, as it sits, and cannibis, as it burns, it’s not like “repeal” is a worry.

If you desire is to end prevailing wage, collective bargaining, pensions, and require a dry state with no gambling…

… go back to 1953, it’s the 21st century.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 17, 22 @ 4:13 pm
The funny thing is, Pritzker is explicitly acknowledging that this isn’t really a jobs program, he’s just saying that having the kind of culture that young educated people like helps. But some of ya’ll got such a tremendous psychic would when Rauner lost that you can’t concede that anything other than the corporate tax rate matters.

Comment by Arsenal Friday, Jun 17, 22 @ 4:32 pm
===… go back to 1953, it’s the 21st century.===

My mom used to tell us how the 50s were so much better than today. After hearing her say it multiple times over the years, I finally reminded her about Jim Crow laws, sundown towns, separate water fountains, sitting in backs of buses, men hung from trees for falsely assaulting white women, Operation Wetback, CIA assassinations, the “Indian Problem”, cartoons and movies with horrific stereotypes of minorities, and so on. She’s never brought the 50s up again except for Elvis, sock hops or other normal fond memories.

Comment by Baloneymous Friday, Jun 17, 22 @ 4:38 pm
On the other hand Jay Bob could be on to something. Oregon decriminalized hard drugs. It has seeped into the groundwater and now overdoses, violent crime, and property crime have skyrocketed. I bet businesses are chomping at the bit to move there now.

Comment by Captain Obvious Friday, Jun 17, 22 @ 5:00 pm
Yes, Captain Obvious. Oregon having the same problems as everyone else is because they did that one thing. Right.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jun 17, 22 @ 5:46 pm