Illinois Governor Pat Quinn announced yesterday that 577 employers have agreed to hire 3,800 employees in his "Put Illinois To Work" scheme, a subsidized job program. Put Illinois To Work participants, who qualify if their income is 200% below the federal poverty level, which is $2,428 per month for a family of two. Those participants would then be placed at work sites for up to six months. Funding will expire on September 30 and all subsidized jobs must end by that date. Quinn hopes that his program will put 15,000 people to work.Share
Give our hapless Governor a little credit, but it still sounds more like a political maneuver. Then again, everything that Governor Quinn does is akin to pandering for votes from a very targeted demographic. Not that jobs are not needed there, they are. Desperately! What I don't like is his deliberate pandering. While driving to Evergreen Park not too long ago, when you got onto I-57 from I-80, there is Quinn's smiling puss looking down at you around Harvey.
Democratic Politics never changes does it? Champion of the people, champion to the down-trodden. Yea, my ass because they perpetuate the poverty!
Roughly 6.5 jobs per employer is not progress. Considering the job is for six months or less and it ends just before the election, if Quinn gets his wish of 15,000 jobs, it is a nice move to get at least those votes. Problem is, after the election there will no longer be jobs and they are right back to where it started. No jobs for those who need them the most. Illinois just doesn't have leaders that look at long term results. Everything is about short term expediency to satisfy their vote tallies.
Democratic leadership over the past two decades is the real reason why there are not enough jobs in Illinois. It is a climate of anti-business and "pay-to-play" politics that has driven businesses right out of the state. I am curious, though, who are those businesses that agreed to these subsidized jobs? Are they the usual players? I am sure they are because most businesses that have remained here are entrenched in the body politic of Illinois.
I wouldn't get too exited about our Hapless Governor's "Put Illinois To Work" program - it is just another fleeting moment of hope. As usual!
These workers are helping employers combat the recession, while gaining experience and building a relationship with the employer that will lead to continued employment for some; and some experience and a job reference. I think this program is the type of policy innovation everyone can support. Taxpayers benefit from increased employment of underemployed and unemployed this program is helping. Employers benefit from the personnel assistance provided by the state. Maybe this will help stimulate the economy.
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