By Terry James
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois is ending the year with fewer jobs than it started with.
It’s the first time in seven years that has happened. That means more burden on existing taxpayers to make up for the smaller tax base.
Steve Rauschenberger, president of the Technology and Manufacturing Association and a former state Senator, says the state doesn’t only need business reforms but also patience.
“Even if there were quick reforms, it’s going to take three to five years to start rebuilding the middle class producing jobs that we all want, but don’t have the public policy to support.”
The latest jobs numbers from the Illinois Department of Employment Security shows the state lost over 16,000 jobs in December and the unemployment rate rose to 5.9 percent. Over the entire year, Illinois saw 3,000 less jobs.
Terry James can be reached at terry@wjbc.com.
