Governor Promises to Fight for Manufacturing, More Funding for Education

Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner promised to push for a better economic climate for manufacturers in the state, as well as more funding for education during a visit Friday to Effingham as part of Illinois Manufacturing Day for 2015.

Rauner said 10% of every working Illinoisan is working in manufacturing, and 13% of everything produced in the state is manufacturing-based. He noted that Illinois is the fifth most populous state, but is third in the nation in manufacturing output.

The governor said it's tough for manufacturing to grow, though, and called for changes in regulations for manufacturers and changes in the tax climate in the state. He said he's sick of hearing business people say, "we love your people and your locations, but it's a better climate for growth in Texas, Tennessee and Indiana." He added, "We have spent ourselves into big trouble. We can't get ourselves out of trouble unless we grow. We can't tax our way out, we can't cut our way out, we have to grow." Rauner said he was "cautiously optimistic" that changes can be made to change that climate in Illinois and promised that once the changes are in place, he will "travel the nation and travel the world recruiting companies to Illinois and to Effingham County."

Rauner also called for a greater partnership between local schools, community colleges and the business community to offer education that make students better ready for college, or better ready to fill the jobs available at Illinois businesses. He said, "there are companies with job openings, but can't find young people with the technical skills to fill them. Illinois is 50th out of 50 states in educational support from the State. Our #1 priority should be our schools and our teachers."

Rauner spoke along with representatives of some of the manufacturing partners who sponsored Manufacturing Day along with local schools, Lake Land College, the City of Effingham, the County of Effingham, and the Effingham Regional Growth Alliance.

Manufacturers that opened their doors to some 300 area high school students for tours Friday monirng and participated in the Chamber First Friday Luncheon are Hitachi Metals Automotive Components, Hodgson Mill, John Boos and Company, Kingery Printing Company, Mechanovent, Nova Solutions, Quad Graphics, Sherwin Williams Distribution Center, Siemer Milling Company, Stevens Industries and Versatech LLC.