Kane County Reporter

The cost of doing business in Illinois is rising rapidly, thanks to a series of changes made by the state legislature in recent years. First and foremost, amongst these is the increase to the minimum wage, which has squeezed the labor market and made it more expensive for businesses to hire employees. While this may seem like a small cost, it adds up quickly. And, when taking into consideration the additional costs and burdens facing small business owners right now, it’s clear that many businesses simply can’t afford these increases.

On top of that, the state has doubled the gas tax, making transportation costs much higher. Furthermore, new business tax hikes and costly energy mandates have added to the financial burden on companies operating in Illinois.

Finally, changes to workers' compensation laws have made it more expensive for businesses to provide coverage for their employees. Taken together, these changes have made it very difficult for businesses to survive in Illinois.

As a result, many companies are leaving the state, which continues to be a huge blow to the Illinois economy. During these difficult times, as our country struggles to deal with historic levels of inflation and a potential recession on our hands, we must do everything in our power to support the business community, as it is the engine of our economy. Legislators need to be more mindful of the impact their decisions have on businesses, or else they risk driving even more of our job creators out of the state entirely.

Doug Warlick is the founder and principal attorney of the Law Offices of Douglas B. Warlick & Associates.