ROCK ISLAND, Ill. – State Rep. Mike Halpin, D-Rock Island, will join incoming Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s transition committee on economic opportunity, the governor-elect announced Monday.

“As state representative, I’ve worked to encourage economic development in a way that supports the unique goals of business owners, labor unions, local governments and working families in the Quad-Cities region,” said Halpin. “I look forward to continuing these conversations with stakeholders from across the state, so that together we can lift up the middle class while enacting policies that help businesses grow.”

Halpin brings to the committee legislative experience in economic development, having championed efforts to crack down on corporations that send local jobs out of state, and tax credit plans to give local communities a competitive edge when businesses consider expansion and job creation. Halpin has fought for the Keep Illinois Business Act, which would require corporations that move out of Illinois to pay the taxpayers back for any tax incentives they received. Halpin also backed legislation to create a new tax credit program allowing for a state income tax credit equal to 25 percent of qualified expenditures incurred during rehabilitation of a qualified historic structure. The credit will become available in 2019 and will help create jobs and new economic activity by offsetting construction costs.

Halpin will join 36 other committee members in advising and guiding the incoming governor’s administration on job creation and economic opportunity. The committee will be chaired by Hispanic Information Technology Executive Council President Omar Duque, Director of Research Park at the University of Illinois Laura Frerichs, Illinois Medical District CEO and Executive Director Dr. Suzet McKinney and Chicago Federation of Labor President Bob Reiter.

“Illinois’ promise and potential outweigh any challenge we face, and together, I know we can capitalize on our strengths and build a thriving economy,” said Pritzker. “It’s time to realize we can be pro-labor and pro-business, to create real prosperity by ensuring capital is available for small business owners and entrepreneurs, and to build an economy that works for everybody in every county of our great state. I’m ready to get to work. I know this committee is, too.”