Prairie State Wire

Jim Dodge wants the blame to land where he thinks it should when talk of Illinois not being a favorable place to conduct or start a business kicks into high gear.

“I tell everyone it’s the politics of the state, not the place or the people that stirs the problem,” Dodge told the Prairie State Wire. “The people are skilled and among the hardest workers there are and the land and the structures are among the best you can find. It’s the politics that cause all the problems.”

Dodge felt the need to defend the state’s honor in light of Chief Executive’s 2018 “Best and Worst States for Business” report that pegs Illinois No. 48 of 50 states, ahead of only New York and California. The dreadful showing marks the fourth straight year Illinois has landed in the same position.

Springfield

At the other end of the spectrum, Texas was in the top spot, followed by Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina. Closer to home, Indiana ranked No. 5 and Michigan, up nine spots over last year, ranked No. 27.

“The main thing hurting the state is all the taxation,” said Dodge, an Orland Park Republican running for state treasurer. “All the taxes make this a rough place to locate or stay in business. Still, you have Democrats talking about tax increases instead of reforms. It’s past the point of absurdity, and why this election is so crucial to getting things turned around.”

While Dodge concedes no genuine changes can come overnight, he thinks November’s general election can start to create the climate.

“We need a Republican governor and to start to reduce (House Speaker Mike) Madigan’s control,” he said.  “I’ve been talking to audiences and they all agree these are not just Republican ideas. A lot of people feel abandoned by Madigan and the Democrats with all their crazed policies.”