Kane County Reporter

Gov. J.B. Pritzker heard from business leaders across the state during the recent Illinois Manufacturers Association convention in Springfield, with many of them expressing concern about the state’s business climate and some pending legislation on Apr 26th.

“Yes, of course, people are talking to Mississippi about low-wage workers that they can get if they put a low-wage manufacturing facility in that state,” Pritzker said. “But what they talk to Illinois about is skilled labor and skilled workers, because we provide those and we have the third largest community college system in the entire nation. And we're utilizing that to make sure that we're at the top of the heap when it comes to skilled work.”

The Minority Business Development Agency from the U.S. Department of Commerce reported Illinois saw approximately 1.2 million businesses, noting there were approximately 343 thousand minority-owned firms, back in 2018.

Hundreds of attendees gathered for the annual daylong, joint convention, which included representatives from businesses big and small and came just before lawmakers were set to adjourn for the season on May 19.

Gaebler noted Illinois saw approximately 1.1 million small businesses.

As part of his keynote address to attendees, Pritzker proudly pointed to all the investments in workers he insists have been made under his administration, including in the areas of workforce training and apprenticeships. Pritzker also made it a point to talk up the budget he proposed earlier this year, which includes increased funding for community colleges, universities and student financial aid.

"Since coming into office, my administration has prioritized economic opportunity and fiscal health at every turn and 2022 was a record-breaking year for progress," Pritzker said in a release. "We surpassed a $1 trillion GDP, marked eighteen consecutive months of job growth, dispersed a record number of loans for small businesses, and earned multiple credit rating upgrades—all while seeing historic business creation and job growth."

Back in March, Pritzker raised the possibility of tax cuts, provided state revenues continue to improve. Since then, however, data shows revenue growth has slowed, suggesting that lawmakers would be wise to be more conservative in their planning for the upcoming fiscal year.