Greenwood Focuses on Economic Reform Agenda to Create Jobs

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. LaToya Greenwood, D-East St. Louis, released the following statement after Gov. Bruce Rauner’s State of the State address Wednesday:

“I agree with the governor that more must be done to create jobs and grow our economy, but the governor doesn’t get the realities families in our community face. He is wrongly using our most vulnerable citizens, persons with disabilities, the elderly and school children as a negotiating chip to force changes that will only boost the profits of big corporations.

“The governor thinks the only way to create jobs is by cutting working families’ wages, taking away protections for workers and lowering their standard of living. He doesn’t get it. I believe we should be lifting up working families, not hurting them; that’s why I’m supporting the House Democratic Caucus’ agenda of economic reform, which will protect our values while also helping put people back to work. Our agenda invests in education, raises the minimum wage and expands tax credits to help working families keep more of their hard-earned money. I am confident that these reforms will set Illinois on track to a better future.

“Job creation is crucial to a better economic climate in our state and we must put Illinois jobs first by reinstating incentives for businesses that create jobs right here in Illinois. Our plan also bans all tax breaks for companies that ship American jobs overseas.

“In addition to job creation we must invest in education at all levels. I’m supporting a measure that will do just that by requiring the wealthiest in our state to pay their fair share by adding a new surcharge on annual income over $1 million, with all the revenue going to education.

“I look forward to a brighter future and I will work diligently to protect middle-class values while also helping to improve the economic climate in our state.”