Written by Senate Democratic Caucus Staff Monday, 06 February 2012 12:53
Doug Whitley, President of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, spoke highly of Illinois’ Democrat leaders last week when he wrote:
…At a time when political gridlock in Washington is generating nothing but frustration – Illinois Democrats are showing signs of turning the situation around in our state. - Doug Whitley, President of ICC“”
Whitley acknowledged that there is still much work to be done, but was encouraged by the major efforts of Democrat leaders. Read an excerpt, below:
“The people of Illinois are well aware the state has been adrift, and are desperate for leadership and action from the Statehouse. Fortunately, the Democrat leaders have systematically begun to address the problems. The list of accomplishments is impressive:
- Provided a $31 billion capital bill to fund infrastructure and transportation projects;
- Revised the pension benefit structure for new employees;
- Introduced cost containment for Medicaid;
- Changed workers’ compensation laws;
- Fixed the unemployment insurance debt obligation due to the federal government;
- Brought management and work rule changes to McCormick Place;
- Privatized the lottery;
- Passed enabling legislation to allow the use of public-private partnerships to finance and build infrastructure;
- Restructured utility regulations; and
- Reduced some of the impact of last January’s corporate tax increases.
Although one year does not make a trend, it is noteworthy that the state neither underfunded nor borrowed to meet the current fiscal year’s pension obligation. It is also encouraging to see the General Assembly reassert its rightful role as a partner in the budgeting process, and begin to put the brakes to the executive branch’s spending plans.”