March 29, 2014
Tribune
Is Illinois better off in 2014 than it was four years ago? In 2010 we pored over a virtual library of statistics to assess where Illinois stood relative to other states and produced a chart much like this one. Today we replicate that exercise as closely as the data permit, with comparisons to Illinois’ national stature in 2010. By economic and jobs measures, Illinois has fallen further. By some education metrics, Illinois has improved. Our kids are still chubby.
As you read, ask yourself the questions we posed in 2010: Is this the state where my family, my company, my career can thrive? Is this the Illinois I want my generation to bequeath to tomorrow’s, and to the one after that? Or do I want to send Illinois in a different direction?
Raising one of these rankings on Nov. 4 — voter turnout — can be a first step toward boosting Illinois’ standing nationwide. In future endorsement editorials we’ll discuss which candidates are likeliest to improve the distressed state of this state.
ECONOMY AND JOBS
States for business: Worse (now 48th, was 46th in 2010): Illinois is among the worst states for business, says Chief Executive magazine. The Wall Street Journal on March 20 listed Illinois “near the top of any fair survey” for worst-run state in America.
Business climate: Worse (now 31st, was 30th): The business tax climate also is going in the wrong direction, according to the Tax Foundation. Illinois has dipped from an already below-average ranking in 2010.
Job creation: Still 48th: No surprise, then, that employers are steering clear. The American Legislative Exchange Council says Illinois’ rate of job creation trails 47 other states, leading only Ohio and Michigan.
Unemployment: Worse (now second-worst, was ninth): The latest U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data — for January, seasonally adjusted — rank unemployment rates from a high of 9.2 percent in Rhode Island to a low of 2.6 percent in North Dakota. At 8.7 percent, Illinois ties with Nevada for second-worst. Illinois now has 376,099 fewer nonfarm jobs than in January 2008 — a drop of 5.9 percent.
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