Senator Bill Brady today said a report that Illinois lost nearly 18,000 jobs last month is “more disastrous news for the people of Illinois” and underscores a failure by Governor Quinn to rebuild Illinois’ economy.

“Our families and our employers are paying the price for a decade of debt, deficit and despair. Governor Quinn and the Democrat leadership in Illinois continue to drive jobs away from Illinois with their high-tax, anti-business agenda,” said Brady (R., Bloomington).

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics said Thursday Illinois reported 17,800 fewer jobs in March when compared to February. In the last five years, federal jobs statistics show more than 220,000 jobs have been lost.

In addition, Illinois’ unemployment rate stands at 9.5 percent, the fourth highest in the country and higher than all other Midwestern states.

“The business community is looking for stability and predictability, and they’re not seeing that in Illinois with our fiscal problems, our unfunded pension liability and our $10 billion of unpaid bills,” Brady said.

“Under Governor Quinn, Wall Street has lost confidence in Illinois and cut our credit rating 11 times -- more than half the total downgrades in our state’s entire history. And under Governor Quinn, we have amassed more than $9 billion in unpaid bills, despite his 67 percent income tax increase that is taking a week’s salary out of the pockets of every working man and woman in Illinois, for those lucky enough to still be working.”

“It’s no wonder that governors of other states, such as Texas Governor Rick Perry, are trying to poach our jobs and our workers,” Brady said. “We can turn Illinois around with a business climate that encourages investment and job growth, but it will take leadership we have not seen from Governor Quinn and the Democrats in Springfield.”

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Senator Brady’s Pro-Jobs Record

Recognized by State Business Groups

Senator Bill Brady has been recognized by two leading state business organizations for his support of pro-jobs policies and his work to provide greater economic opportunities for Illinois families.

The Illinois Chamber of Commerce named him a 2012 “Champion of Free Enterprise” and the National Federation of Independent Business/Illinois gave him its “Guardian of Small Business” award for his legislative votes and efforts to strengthen the state jobs climate.

Chamber President and CEO Doug Whitley said Brady and other legislators “demonstrated a serious commitment to government reforms that are essential to reversing our state’s negative image for excessive political corruption and anti-business policies.”

NFIB State Director Kim Clarke Maisch said, “Everyone is focused on the national election and that’s very important, but we can’t lose sight of the fact that small businesses are affected very directly by what comes out of Springfield . Small business owners can look around at Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio and see real reforms that make it easier for their counterparts to compete.”

“These organizations are dedicated to promoting a stronger economy in Illinois, and I’m honored by their recognition,” said Brady, Assistant Senate Republican Leader.

“I’m focused on helping reform Illinois’ business and government policies so that our companies can grow and our families can prosper. Fiscal stability, rather than over-taxing, over-borrowing and over-spending, is critical to our success in making Illinois an attractive state for business investment and growth.”

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