Illinois General Assembly

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Representative Jil Tracy (217) 223-0833 

July 27, 2006

REPRESENTATIVE JIL TRACY,
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER TOM CROSS
ANNOUNCE ‘ WESTERN ILLINOIS WORKS'
JOB CREATION PACKAGE

Quincy …State Representative Jil Tracy announced a plan that will get Illinois moving in the right direction when it comes to promoting job creation and economic growth in Western Illinois . Tracy said her comprehensive program, entitled “Western Illinois Works”, will help reverse the trend of job loss and promote manufacturing job creation, encourage small-business expansion and growth and support the agricultural industry in Western Illinois and across the state.

Joined by House Republican Leader Tom Cross, Todd Maisch from the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Jeff Mays from the Illinois Business Roundtable, State Representative Jim Watson and local businesses, Tracy said it is critical to reverse the trend of job loss in Illinois .

“During the last 5 years, Illinois has lost over 150,000 manufacturing jobs. These are jobs that supported families, put our children through college and made communities strong,” said Tracy . “Quality paying jobs are the cornerstone of our communities and it's time to refocus and use our best efforts to make Illinois an attractive place for companies to locate jobs here once again.”

According to House Republican Leader Tom Cross, the cost of doing business in Illinois is among the most expensive in the Midwest —costing Illinois jobs and economic opportunity.

“During this Democrat administration, we've seen businesses leave Illinois because of the high cost of doing business. The administration and Democrat legislature have increased business taxes and fees significantly higher than those of the neighboring states of Iowa, Missouri and Indiana,” said Cross. “Cities like Quincy are most impacted by increased business taxes and fees because states bordering Illinois are actively recruiting Illinois businesses to relocate. We want to change that and give cities like Quincy the advantage.”

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State Representative Jil Tracy's Western Illinois Works program includes:

Introducing the “New Jobs Now” Tax Credit

Representative Tracy supports the “New Jobs Now” Tax Credit developed by Treasurer Topinka. The NJNTC is a five-year program that would provide employers with credits against their state payroll tax liability. The value of the credit would be 50% of the payroll taxes paid per job created. The percentage may be increased to 75% for jobs that provide health care, retirement and other benefits.

Increasing Funding for AgriFirst

Governor Blagojevich has funded AgriFirst at a paltry $826,000. This program will seek to incrementally increase funding for this program up to an ultimate goal of $25 million. The program provides grants and other incentives for farmers to improve productivity and services.

Providing Economic Incentives for Job Creation

Small businesses that create a quality-paying job in Illinois will receive a tax credit. Employers who offer quality benefits, like healthcare will not only receive a tax credit, but may be eligible for cash subsidy. The threshold eligibility for number of new job creations will be lowered so more small businesses can participate.

Implementing Common-Sense Civil Justice Reforms

Representative Tracy will introduce legislation to restrict venue shopping; reform the way class action suits are handled in Illinois and eliminate joint and several liability. These reforms will bring Illinois in-line with other states in the nation, where it now ranks 45 out of 50 in terms of judicial fairness.

“For job creation to improve in Illinois, we need legislation like Representative Jil Tracy's Western Illinois Works program,” said Todd Maisch, Director of Legislative Affairs from the Illinois Chamber of Commerce. “Only by reducing the onerous taxes and fees on businesses will we be able to get Illinois moving in the right direction.”

“Western Illinois used to be a hub of economic activity along the Mississippi,” said Tracy. “But after 3 ½ years of focus by the Democrat legislature on the City of Chicago and its priorities—we've fallen behind through higher taxes, higher fees and lack of focus on downstate Illinois. This program will refocus on downstate business needs and make economic development in Western Illinois a priority again.”

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