Mussman Sets Sights on Jump Starting Economy for Middle Class

Schaumburg, Ill. – State Rep. Michelle Mussman, D-Schaumburg, is urging her colleagues in the General Assembly to focus on hardworking middle-class families in order to move Illinois’ economy forward. While advocating for economic growth in Illinois, Mussman warns against cutting wages and stripping away protections for workers as a way to improve the state’s business climate.

“There has been a lot of talk in Springfield about finding common ground. We should start by agreeing that middle-class families should take precedence over billionaire special interests groups,” Mussman said. “When we invest in the middle class and working families, we’re investing in the true drivers of the economy,” Mussman said.

The state of Illinois is in its nineteenth month without a budget. What was once a backlog of unpaid bills that totaled $4.5 billion in July of 2015 has now more than doubled to $10 billion and continues to grow. Mussman is continuing to stress the importance of finding a solution because of the negative impact the lack of a state budget has had on Illinois’ most vulnerable residents.

“The governor and I agree that Illinois can and should improve its business climate. However, while the governor’s plan advocates for restricting collective bargaining rights and cutting middle-class wages, I think that my district would benefit more from outlawing any future tax incentives for corporations that ship American jobs overseas,” Mussman said. “Additionally, we should give a tax credit to Illinois businesses that hire highly skilled workers and engineers to broaden our tax base.”

Legislators return to Springfield for Governor Bruce Rauner’s State of the State address on Wednesday, Jan. 25.

Mussman serves the 56th District, which includes portions of Schaumburg, Hoffman Estates, Elk Grove Village, Hanover Park, Roselle, Rolling Meadows, and Palatine.