By: Ted Dabrowski and John Klingner
What’s the economic cost of living in a state with a host of failed public policies? At least 110,000 jobs.
Many more Illinoisans would be working today if the state’s unemployment rate were similar to its neighbors. Instead, Illinois is always a laggard when it comes to jobs, both in the Midwest and nationally.
Illinois had the nation’s 10th-highest unemployment rate of 6 percent in October, compared with Kentucky’s rate of 4.2 percent, Indiana’s 3.3 percent and Wisconsin’s 3.2 percent – almost half that of Illinois’.
Putting those lower unemployment rates in context of actual jobs, Illinois could have anywhere between 110,000 and 170,000 more people employed today if it simply had the same unemployment rates as its neighbors.
Having the same unemployment rate as Indiana, for example, would mean 165,000 more employed Illinoisans. That’s as many jobs as the entire number of people employed in Aurora and Peoria combined.
Unfortunately, history shows Illinois has hardly ever dropped its unemployment rate to the national average, let alone to the levels of its neighbors. Illinois’ rate has, on average, stayed one or two points above that of most of its neighbors since 2010.
That’s not surprising considering the state’s poor jobs climate. Illinois’ manufacturing base, in particular, has struggled to recover from the Great Recession even as all of Illinois’ neighbors have seen their sectors grow.
Unfortunately, the only response from state politicians has been to pass subsidies for favored industries while increasing costs on everybody else.
Expect Illinois to continue to lag the nation in jobs as the state’s politicians continue to reject pro-growth policies.
P.S. Look for the new national unemployment numbers on Dec. 2nd. The new state numbers will follow on Dec. 19th.
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If this bill passes, say goodbye to local control over all Illinois parks and expect to see open drug and alcohol use, needles, no sanitation and fire hazards, but no ordinary park users.
Why work when the Dems keep telling you it’s not your fault and then send you free money!
For years I told myself I wasn’t responsible for what was happening in my state (Illinois) because I voted against those in power. Then I sent my tax dollars to the people I voted against so they could do more of the same. I expect most of you reading this comment are doing the same thing. Eventually I realized the insanity of the situation and left Illinois.
Exactly. Those that live in Illinois are nothing but enablers to these crooks.