Governor's State of the State Address Pleases Republicans, Angers Others

Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner probably doesn't expect any greeting cards from organized labor forces after his second State of the State address Wednesday in Springfield.

As expected, he called for business-friendly reforms, and took on a couple of familiar targets, trial lawyers and AFSCME.

Tense relations between Rauner and AFSCME, the union representing the largest number of state employees, won't likely improve either. Rauner chastised the union for its demands and what he terms a lack of flexibility in negotiations.

The Service Employees International Union fired back. SEIU Healthcare Illinois Executive Vice President Greg Kelley said, "If Bruce Rauner were interested in telling the truth today about the state of the state he could have said, 'It's broken', and it's been broken on purpose". Kelley blamed Rauner for significant cuts to the social services to help enact his "Turnaround Agenda" to lower wages and worker protections. Kelley said the cuts are part of what he calls a scorched earth strategy and says they have hit seniors, children, the disabled, people of color and women the hardest.

Area legislators weighed in, saying they appreciated the governor's call to abandon the status quo.

In his message, the govenor announced that leaders at the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and business stakeholders will collaborate in organizing a newly formed private, non-profit organization focusing exclusively on increasing Illinois' competitiveness for job creation and investment. The creation of a private economic development organization was a key recommendation of the Governor's bipartisan transition committee last year.

"Illinois is at a critical crossroad," Illinois Department of Commerce Director Jim Schultz said. "We have among the best assets in the world, including unparalelled access to global markets with our five international airports, seven Class I railroads, the third largest interstate highway system in the country, the third largest intermodal port in the world, and more. We have over 200 higher education institutions around the state, a growing innovation ecosystem, a diverse and dynamic workforce, along with an abundance of natural resources.

"There is no reason Illinois should not have a thriving economy. We must take a new approach to growth in Illinois; the status quo is no longer acceptable."

The Illinois Business and Economic Development Corporation, modeled from best practices of other successful state and local economic development organizations will focus on sales, marketing and customer service. The Corporation, for which Articles of Incorporation were filed Wednesday morning with the Illinois Secretary of State, is a private organization seeking 501 (c)(3) status. The governor will sign an Executive Order in the coming days to formally establish its relationship with the Illinois Department of Commerce. The formation of the Corporation and its operations at least through Fiscal Year 2016 will be funded entirely with private donations. The Department of Commerce will maintain all its existing duties, including working with companies on expansion and relocation efforts, until the Commission is operational.

To find out more about the Commission, visit www.ilbedc.org