Kim Clarke Maisch, Illinois state director of the National Federation of Independent Business, released the following statement today in response to Gov. Bruce Rauner’s State of the State Address:
“Today, Governor Rauner made good on his promise to pursue policy initiatives that are key to reducing the cost of doing business for Illinois’ small employers.
“We finally have a governor who is willing to stand shoulder to shoulder with our state’s job creators and significantly address real worker’s compensation reform, unemployment tax fraud and legal reform.
“If Illinois is going to get back into the economic game and compete not only with our neighbors but at a national level, we must address those huge cost drivers and provide relief to Main Street.
“In terms of the minimum wage, NFIB members continue to express concern at what a hike would do to their already high cost of doing business in Illinois.
“The stark reality is that there is only so much money in an employer’s budget, and if politicians increase the cost of labor without providing relief, small employers will be forced cut hours, cut benefits or cut jobs.”
NFIB/Illinois is the state’s leading small-business association with over 11,000 dues-paying members representing a cross section of the Illinois economy.
