It’s time to declare that Illinois is open for business again. From 2003 to 2007, Illinois ranked 45th out of 50 states in job growth. Today, Illinois has one of the nation’s highest unemployment rates, hovering at 10% this fall. In just one year, we’ve lost more than 300,000 jobs. That means we’re not just hemorrhaging jobs, but we’re also forfeiting sales and income tax revenues, thus contributing to our escalating debt.

• Not Only Create, But Retain: As someone who understands how to run a business, I will promote policies that allow our state to retain and create jobs, such as offering a tax credit for businesses that create new jobs.
  
  
• Promote a Business-Friendly Climate: Instead of driving jobs and businesses across our borders, I will work to create a favorable economic climate here at home by opposing new taxes and regulations that penalize business growth and expansion.
  
  
• Encourage Free and Fair Competition: I'll fight to curb frivolous lawsuits, so Illinois can earn a reputation for job growth, not excessive jury awards. We’ll plug judicial holes and bring fairness back to the legal system so employers can compete on a level playing field.
  
  
• Convene a Jobs Summit: As my first act as governor, I will convene a Jobs Summit for Illinois' best job creators. I’ll invite big businesses, small, rapidly growing businesses, and those that have stood the test of time. I’ll ask them how government can create a better environment to assist job growth. I’ll listen closely to what they have to say.  Then, I'll act to implement their recommendations quickly.