By Mike Matejka
A constant complaint is that Illinois is bad for business. Our taxes, workers’ compensation and other costs are always cited as driving business from Illinois.
Thus the latest U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics’ report interested me. Since 2001, including the recession, registered Illinois businesses have grown. At 2001’s end, there were 318,495 businesses registered in the State. The latest report was for the third quarter of 2014 shows 416,040 businesses reported in Illinois. That’s 97,545 new businesses registered in the state in the past 14 years.
Politicians can debate our business climate. Too often what results is negativity about our state. Instead, we should be talking about the good things Illinois has to offer a business.
Number one, we’ve got good workers in Illinois. We have an educated population that still retains a strong work ethic. Particularly here in Central Illinois, we have people who know how to show up every day and complete their day’s assignment.
Number two is transportation. We are still the crossroads of the nation. Instead of belaboring our supposed bad climate, we should be talking about enhancing our assets. A solid infrastructure investment program from our state legislature and Governor Rauner could make a critical difference. Our roads and bridges need repair, with a funding cycle that isn’t boom and bust, but allows steady maintenance and replacement. The nation’s railroads still interchange here and the private freight railroads are investing in their systems. Continuing our higher speed passenger rail upgrades and extending commuter rail lines is another great way to link jobs and workers. Finally, our airports need to be state of the art and welcoming.
Third is education. Our universities are world renowned. I was particularly heartened to see our local enterprises and schools talking together about doing more math, science and technology education. That’s a solid foundation for the future that we can build on.
Negativity will only breed negativity. Repeated political slogans about Illinois being bad for business can make it a fact. Yes, we have problems, but so does every state. Solutions need clear discussion, but as we do that, let’s not sell ourselves short. Our leaders should be emphasizing our potential and our resources to help create a future and jobs for our residents.
Mike Matejka is the Governmental Affairs director for the Great Plains Laborers District Council, covering 11,000 union Laborers in northern Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota. He lives in Bloomington with his wife and daughter and their two dogs. He served on the Bloomington City Council for 18 years, is a past president of the McLean County Historical Society and Vice-President of the Illinois Labor History Society.
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