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Illinois economy heading in wrong
direction An in-depth
analysis of jobs data confirms what I have been saying for two years
-- the Illinois economy is heading in the wrong direction!
According to the United States
Bureau of Labor Statistics and the National Conference of State
Legislatures, Illinois ranks 49th in jobs gained since January 2003.
We are also second in the nation in terms of increases in welfare
cases -- up 13 percent since November 2003, compared with decreases
in all our neighboring states.
Compare Illinois' poor performance
to the employment successes of our neighboring states, which have
all enjoyed job growth since January 2003: Missouri, plus 4,700
jobs; Iowa, plus 16,500 jobs; Kentucky, plus 21,300 jobs; Wisconsin,
plus 40,000 jobs; and Indiana, plus 54,400 jobs. During the same
time period, Illinois lost 40,900 jobs.
Clearly, Gov. Rod Blagojevich's
fiscal decisions and policies are not working. He increased taxes by
eliminating $160 million worth of state tax exemptions for Illinois
business; he raised the minimum wage, which increases costs for
employers; and he instituted large fee increases that are costing
business an additional $300 million per year. He has repeatedly
raided the Road Fund, delaying much-needed road and bridge
improvements.
The governor is trying to tax his
way out of a bad budget situation -- which is only hurting business
and threatening jobs. I am fighting for legislation and policies
that help employers, jobs and economic development.
Resolution calls for support of
military bases
On April 21, the Senate adopted a
resolution urging the federal government to keep open the Rock
Island Arsenal and three other military bases.
Senate Joint Resolution 18 urges the Department of Defense and
the Base Realignment and Closure Commission to save Rock Island
Arsenal, Peoria Air National Guard Base, Springfield National Guard
Base and Scott Air Force Base from closure because of their military
and local value.
Military bases are major economic
engines for Illinois, employing thousands of people and adding
billions of dollars to the state's economy. They are also key to
homeland security and National Guard recruiting efforts.
The Department of Defense will
forward its list of military installations recommended for closure
and realignment to the Base Realignment and Closure Commission on
May 16. The commission's formal recommendations will be made to
Congress on Sept. 8.
[to top of second column in this article] |
 Doctors explain reality of 'med mal'
crisis in Illinois
Two young doctors from Carle Clinic
in Urbana came to the Capitol April 21 to put a human face on the
medical malpractice reform debate, providing a personal perspective
on an issue that has them questioning their professional futures in
Illinois.
Dr. Kimberly Brockenbrough and Dr.
John Brockenbrough explained how the state's skyrocketing medical
malpractice insurance premiums will be a factor in their decision to
stay with jobs they love, in a community they love, or leave the
state.
John is an ear, nose and throat
physician. Kimberly is a radiologist.
"The issue is that we are having
trouble recruiting physicians in Illinois. I worked last year
teaching radiology residents," Kimberly said. "Many of them will not
even consider practicing in Illinois because of the health care
crisis."
The Brockenbroughs emphasized their
belief that a cap on noneconomic damages is the kind of medical
malpractice reform that would help the problem in Illinois. They
said Indiana and Wisconsin have passed $250,000 caps on noneconomic
damages, and both states have lower medical malpractice insurance
premiums. They noted that many of their physician friends have
already moved to those states.
The General Assembly failed to pass
meaningful medical malpractice reform last year, despite the best
efforts of Senate Republicans to put together a balanced package of
legal reforms, medical reforms and insurance reforms. We must keep
our doctors from leaving Illinois. Every region of our state must
have access to quality health care.
[From
Sen. Bill Brady]
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