Business Reaction To State of the State Address

One of Governor Quinn's key points in his State of the State address was job growth. 

"We've created good paying jobs, while laying the foundation for future growth," Governor Quinn said.

The governor plans to bring tax cuts and incentives to businesses that hire veterans, but business owners are questioning whether it's enough.

Steve Hillard's company HL Precision saw huge growth during the recession.  He realizes it's the exception to the rule.

His business moved into a large space and nearly doubled its workforce.  Hillard credits diversity, not relying on one client.

He likes Quinn's ideas of incentives and tax breaks, but says it's not getting at the root of the problem.

He thinks the tax code and worker's compensation rates need to change.

"Enhance the overall environment so we could find more customers in the state and more businesses expanding in the state," Hillard said.  "As you talk to other employers those two big barriers are workman's com laws and cost of workman's comp insurance in Illinois."
 
Illinois borders with states with lower taxes and worker's compensation rates.  Hillard says it makes it more difficult to grow business in Illinois.

Governor Quinn says he'll paint a better picture for business growth in his budget address later this month.