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Michael Bond for Senate

Candidates weigh on state's business climate
31st District hopefuls see retention as key

By Russell Lissau
Daily Herald Staff Writer
Posted Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Both candidates for the state Senate 31st District seat are concerned about Illinois' employment outlook.

Republican Suzanne Simpson described the situation in more dire terms than Democrat Michael Bond, however.

Simpson, of the Grayslake area, is Warren Township's supervisor and a former state representative. Bond, of Grayslake, works at Allstate Insurance Co. and is a Woodland Elementary District 50 board member.

Bond and Simpson shared their opinions about jobs and other topics in questionnaires for the Daily Herald and in follow-up interviews.

Simpson called the state's employment climate "poor." She's concerned about the businesses that have moved from Lake County to Wisconsin, taking local jobs with them.

Expanding economic opportunities is critical for funding schools, transportation improvements or health care programs, Simpson said.

"My top budget priority, my top governing priority is to assure we do all we can to establish a climate in Illinois conducive to healthy economic growth," she said.

Simpson said the state needs to reduce taxes and business-related fees. Rising fees hurt Illinois when prospective businesses compare the state to its neighbors, she said.

"The time is probably long past for a comprehensive review of the state's tax and fee structure," Simpson said.

Bond believes better roads could improve the business climate in Lake County. The area's transportation system is 10 or 15 years behind its population growth, and businesses will struggle if customers can't get to stores or employees can't get to work, he said.

Bond called the departure of businesses from Lake County to Wisconsin - particularly Libertyville Township-based Abbott Laboratories' decision to expand north of the state line - a "failure of elected leadership" at all levels of government. He suggested using economic incentives to lure prospective businesses to Illinois and keep existing ones.

"I think we have to bridge the gap between government and the boardroom. Too often, they're at odds," Bond said. "My background is in business, and I think there are a lot of common-sense things that can be done once business and government start to talk."

Like Simpson, Bond was concerned about fees businesses must pay in Illinois.

"Prospective businesses should not have to worry about being slapped with fees or navigating financial or bureaucratic obstacles when considering relocation or expansion to our state," he said.

High property taxes and struggling schools also could be scaring away prospective employees, Bond said.

The 31st District seat carries a 4-year term. The district includes nearly all of northern Lake County.

Source:
Daily Herald 10/18/2006


	© 2006, Michael Bond for Illinois State Senate