“There has never been more people living in the state of Illinois than there is today,” Manar said. “The Census is the Census. There’s a thing called the Post Enumeration Survey which shows Illinois gained population. It’s a correction. And it’s a real correction from the Census Bureau. So I just want to dispel that right away. Illinois is not losing people. Illinois is gaining people.”

Pritzker graded ‘C.’ “Pritzker seems unconcerned that Illinois is losing workers, entrepreneurs, and retirees, who are fleeing to warmer and lower-tax states. IRS data show that Illinois has the worst ratio of in-migration to out-migration of any state except New York. Illinois loses more than two households earning more than $200,000 per year for each one moving in. To reverse the migration outflow, the state needs to reduce taxes and embrace leaner government.”

The layoffs, effective Jan. 3, include 200 workers at the company’s Harvester Works in East Moline and seven at its Seeding and Cylinder operations in Moline, the company’s headquarters city.