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The American Legislative Exchange Council has released a new
publication called “States That Work: A Labor Policy Roadmap
Across America.” The report ranks all 50 states on their
adoption of pro-worker, pro-growth labor reforms and highlights
where workers enjoy the most economic freedom and where mandates
still hold them back.
From Right-to-Work protections and occupational licensing
reforms to laws that defend rights of public employees to not be
forced into a union and promote transparency in public sector
bargaining, the report identifies where lawmakers are clearing
the path for upward mobility in the job market.
Illinois ranked 42nd overall in the report, scoring near the
bottom for average 10-year private sector employment growth.
“Overall, they really didn’t have many private sector worker
protections, it's not a Right-to-Work state, and don’t have some
of the same protections as some of the other states,” said Alan
Jernigan, manager of the ALEC Commerce, Insurance and Economic
Development Task Force.
Illinois’ neighbors all ranked higher in the study, including
Iowa at No. 15, Indiana at No. 21, and Wisconsin at No. 22.
The top 5 states in the labor policy ranking are Arizona, Utah,
Georgia, Arkansas and Florida. The bottom 5 are Alaska at number
50, followed by Massachusetts, Oregon, New York and Connecticut.
“While Arizona and Utah are embracing reforms that empower
workers and attract businesses, states like New York and
Massachusetts are doubling down on outdated mandates that drive
prosperity away,” said ALEC CEO Lisa Nelson. “This is more than
a ranking, it’s a wake-up call for lawmakers who want their
state to thrive in today’s economy.”
ALEC bills itself as “America’s largest nonpartisan, voluntary
membership organization of state legislators dedicated to the
principles of limited government, free markets and federalism.”
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