Jobs task force could help recovery process

By Tom Cross, Oswego - June 15, 2009

Nearly one in 10 people are currently out of work in Illinois - the highest unemployment rate since 1983. To make matters worse, between 1998 and 2007, more than 735,000 workers left Illinois to pursue better opportunities in other states.

According to the American Legislative Exchange Council's Economic Competitiveness Index, Illinois' economic outlook for 2009 is bleak. The index ranks Illinois 44th among the 50 states in our ability to compete for jobs and create economic growth this year.

Illinois has the reputation of being unfriendly to employers. As we continue to work to solve our budget problems and to enact fiscal and ethical reforms, we need to make job creation an integral part of our ongoing discussions. The best way to turn our economy around is to get people back to work.

House Republicans are proposing the creation of a jobs task force that will engage employers in the process of improving our business climate. To create jobs, we need to hear from the business community about what regulations we should lift and what statutory or taxation changes are needed.

The jobs task force would hold meetings and engage in discussion during the coming months about improving our competitiveness and making our economy vibrant again.

Failing to act will result in Illinois jobs and workers continuing to migrate to other, more competitive states. I look forward to working on this issue with the governor and other legislative leaders. It is an important component in our overall discussions.

Note to readers - Tom Cross is the House Republican leader. He is serving his eighth term as representative for the 84th District.