Some promising signs of job creation and economic progress have begun to surface in Illinois recently. This week, Ford Motor Company made an announcement that their corporation will invest about $400 million and add 1,200 jobs at two local production plants in Chicago. They made the decision to shift production of the next-generation Explorer SUV from its Louisville plant to our South Side facility by the end of the year and strengthen operations at another facility in Chicago Heights.

We must remain focused on keeping and creating jobs by investing in the people of Illinois and building upon our economic strengths. Our state’s Economic Development for a Growing Economy plan, which offers corporate tax credits for large job-creating projects, was modified to allow auto manufacturers, such as Ford, retain employee income tax withholdings as an alternate incentive. This specific job-promoting legislation played a significant role in Ford’s decision.

The announcement is a strong indication of our state's progress toward economic recovery. During these difficult times, we must work with good corporate citizens, like Ford, to create jobs in Illinois and promote job development. This is a step in the right direction for our state to get back on track in order to sustain our economic infrastructure.

Our state currently faces record high unemployment rates and a budget deficit of nearly $12 billion. However, Ford’s decision is very encouraging for the people of Illinois. The move will essentially double the workforce at the Torrence Avenue assembly plant in Chicago and create many other economic opportunities for Illinois families.