 Gov. Pat Quinn and state Sen. Bill Brady, R-Bloomington, are the
front-runners for the state's top post.Quinn made a stop in
Danville on Tuesday to talk about developments in broadband
infrastructure and high-tech jobs before heading to Springfield to
outline a new local construction project.
The construction project, which involves the widening of lanes
and the easing of congestion at an intersection near an Interstate
55 exit, would cost the state $11 million and create or retain 143
jobs in the Springfield area.
"And those are good jobs, well-paying jobs, important jobs to
make us a better state, a safer state and a stronger state when it
comes to the economy," Quinn said.
Brady traveled throughout the state on Tuesday to spread word
about his own plan to stimulate the state's economy.
Brady announced a slate of economic proposals aimed at providing
incentives to the private sector through a series of tax credits and
tax cuts. One of those proposals is a two-year tax credit of $3,750
to businesses for every new job created.
"The business community is the pathway to our future and our
success. Creating an environment where (businesses) put people back
to work reduces the reliance on government services and creates the
tax revenues we need to pay down the backlog of unpaid bills and
debt that Blagojevich and Quinn have accumulated," he said.
Brady also wants to repeal the state's portion of the sales tax
on gasoline and the state's estate tax. Brady acknowledged that he
would have to cut another $650 million to $1 billion if those taxes
were eliminated, but he said the long-term gains would make up for
the initial loss.
The GOP candidate said he also would create a Border Communities
Task Force, headed by running mate Jason Plummer, that would look
into how businesses in areas such as Quincy, the Quad Cities and
Rockford are faring against neighboring, out-of-state competitors.
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When asked how he expected to work with Democrats in the
Legislature, Brady said his plan, regardless of party, was the best
for the state of Illinois.
"This plan is not Republican and it's not Democrat. This plan is
about retooling Illinois and jump-starting our economy through jobs.
The Democrats get the fact that their communities are suffering from
unemployment just as much as the Republicans do," he said.
Quinn lashed back, claiming Brady was not forthcoming with voters
on a plan to fix the state's budget problems.
"He doesn't have the courage to come forward and tell us his
budget before the election. He says you gotta wait until after the
election. Well, I've got news for him: If you want to be governor of
Illinois, it's time to tell the truth to the people before the
election," he said.
The state faces an estimated $13 billion budget deficit, while
the state's unemployment rate for July is at 10.3 percent. The
national unemployment rate is at 9.5 percent.
Jobs and the economy are some of the topics on the forefront of
voters' minds with just more than two months to go before November's
general election.
[Illinois
Statehouse News; By KEVIN LEE]
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