So Long Illinois Jobs

Capitol Confidential ^ | 1/14/2011 | Jarrett Skorup

[MichCapCon]

Earlier this week, on its last day of session, a lame-duck Illinois Legislature passed a 67-percent income tax increase, along with large business and corporate tax hikes. The measure was approved by just a single vote, and was shrouded in backroom deals and payoffs to constituency groups across the board. The Chicago Tribune’s lead editorial the following day had a short headline: “Goodbye, Jobs.”

Governors and other politicians from Missouri, Wisconsin and Indiana are all looking to capitalize on the self-inflicted wound of a competing state, erecting welcome signs at their borders inviting Illinois residents and businesses to relocate. Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels likened his neighbor state to “the dysfunctional family down the block,” while newly-elected Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker told taxpayers to “Escape to Wisconsin!”

Michigan has plenty of its own problems, but Gov. Rick Snyder might also consider rolling out the welcome mat to fed-up Illinois business owners voting with their feet.

Illinois is fast becoming the economic abyss of the Midwest. According to a 60 Minutes report on the subject of state budgets, the “Land of Lincoln” now never pays its bills on time, with $5 billion outstanding; it’s more than six months behind on paying for things like Medicaid, state colleges, small business pharmacists and government workers...

[PhilCollins]

The majority of Illinois voters voted against Gov. Quinn. He defeated Brady, 47%-46%. Quinn won by about 20,000 votes, and the Libertarian, Lex Green, got about 34,000 votes. The other candidates were Michael White, of the Constitution Party; Rich Whitney, of the Green Party; and Scott Lee Cohen, an independent.