06 Feb 2012

Governor Quinn Encourages Working Families to Apply for Tax Relief During Tax Season

By Nafia Khan

Increase to Earned Income Credit and Personal Exemption
to Help Working Families and Stimulate Local Economies

CHICAGO - February 4, 2012. As families across Illinois prepare their taxes this season, Governor Pat Quinn today visited a tax assistance center organized by the Center for Economic Progress at Truman College to encourage working families across Illinois to learn about tax relief passed by the Governor earlier this year and how to apply for the Illinois Earned Income Tax Credit. The law doubles the state's Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) over two years, saving low-income workers an extra $105 million per year. The new law also benefits all Illinois taxpayers by raising the value of the personal exemption and indexing it to inflation.

"Illinois took a step forward this year in helping working families keep more of what they earn," Governor Quinn said. "We must get the word out to our friends, family and neighbors about who is eligible and how to apply for this tax relief that will help every day people and grow our economy."

To benefit from Illinois' EITC, also known as the Earned Income Credit (EIC), taxpayers must include it on their tax returns. While more than 2.5 million state residents benefited from the Illinois EITC in 2010, many people who are eligible for EITC don't file for it. The not-for-profit Center for Economic Progress (CEP) estimates that between 10 and 20 percent of eligible taxpayers did not file for EITC last year.

To help working families achieve the maximum savings on their taxes, the Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) partners with the CEP Tax Counseling Project to provide free tax preparation assistance at tax assistance centers across the state. The services are provided free of charge to families making less than $50,000 annually and to individuals with yearly incomes under $25,000. More than 28,000 Illinois taxpayers filed returns through the program in the 2010 tax season, with more than $50 million in state and federal tax refunds returned to clients.

DHS also funds the Tax Assistance Program (TAP), which recruits tax professionals to volunteer to assist low-income families in 23 locations in Chicago and the suburbs. DHS also works with its clients and those who found jobs and have left DHS programs to educate them about tax preparation programs and ways to ensure they receive the maximum refund on their tax returns.

For more information on the Tax Counseling Project, contact the Center for Economic Progress in Chicago at 312-630-0273, or its toll-free statewide number 888-827-8511 or its website www.economicprogress.org. For information on the Tax Assistance Program call 312-409-1555 or 312-409-4318 (Spanish). Details are also available on the IDHS website at www.dhs.state.il.us and the Department of Revenue website at www.revenue.state.il.us. Information about filing federal taxes online can be found at www.irs.gov.

About the New Illinois EITC Law:

The new law marked the largest increase in Illinois' EITC since its inception in 2000, by phasing in a 5 percent increase over two years. The law boosts the state's EITC from its current level at 5 percent of federal EITC, to 7.5 percent in tax year 2012 and 10 percent of federal EITC in tax year 2013. More than 2.5 million state residents benefited from the Illinois EITC in 2010.

Under the new law, a single mother with one child, earning minimum wage ($12,800 a year), will save $154 on her taxes. A married couple with three children earning $30,000 a year will save $199 on their taxes this year.

Uniquely pro-growth and pro-family, the EITC is available only to those with earned income and provides incentive to work as well as much-needed tax relief to the lowest-income families. EITC also boosts local economies through increased consumer demand. A 2006 Brookings Institution study found that every dollar a family saves through this tax credit translates into $1.58 of activity in local economies.

The law also improves the value of the standard personal exemption for all taxpayers in Illinois and ties its continued growth to the rate of inflation. The personal exemption will increase by $50 (to $2,050) in tax year 2012, and the value of the exemption will be indexed to the cost of living adjustment each tax year thereafter. The personal exemption change benefits all taxpayers, regardless of income.

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03 Feb 2012

Governor Quinn Announces Chrysler Increasing Production at Belvidere Plant to Build Next Generation of Vehicles

By Nafia Khan

State's Support Helping to Create 1,800 Jobs

BELVIDERE - February 2, 2012. One day after laying out the Illinois Jobs Agenda for 2012 in his State of the State address, Governor Pat Quinn today announced that Chrysler Group LLC is ramping up production at its Belvidere plant to help build its next generation of vehicles. The company has invested $700 million to retool the plant and will begin production of the new Dodge Dart in the second quarter of 2012. In fall 2010, Governor Quinn announced a business investment package for the company that is supporting the creation of up to 1,800 new jobs and has been instrumental to Chrysler's decision to expand in Illinois.

"The auto industry is essential to growing our economy. Illinois automakers and their suppliers are thriving today because we have helped meet their needs," Governor Quinn said. "By providing companies like Chrysler with the tools they need, we're helping them not only succeed but thrive."

As part of its investment, Chrysler opened a 638,000 square-foot body shop to support production of the Dart, in addition to installing new machinery, tooling and material handling equipment. The new body shop increased the size of the Belvidere assembly plant to 4.8 million square feet. The plant also includes a 330,000-square-foot stamping plant. The Belvidere facility currently produces the Jeep® Compass and Jeep Patriot.

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is administering the state's business investment package. The package consists of EDGE tax credits, Employer Training Investment Program (ETIP) job-training funds that will help enhance the skills of the company's workforce, and Large Business Development Program funds for capital improvements. Chrysler will also benefit from being located in an Enterprise Zone.

"The Rock River Valley has emerged as a strong leader in the transportation industry, and Chrysler has undoubtedly played a major role in building that reputation," said DCEO Director Warren Ribley. "Today we're pleased to stand beside them as they chart a course towards the future that includes their continued commitment to Illinois."

Illinois added more than 52,000 jobs in 2011, and has added nearly 100,000 jobs since 2010. Since January 2010, Illinois has added almost 20,000 manufacturing jobs.

For more information on why Illinois is the right place for any business, visit www.illinoisbiz.biz.

 

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03 Feb 2012

Governor Quinn Announces Export Advisory Council During State of the State Address

By Nafia Khan

Council will Help Illinois Reach Ambitious Goal of Doubling Exports by 2014 

SPRINGFIELD - February 1, 2012. As part of his State of the State address today, Governor Pat Quinn announced the formation a new council that will help Illinois reach his ambitious goal of doubling the number of state exports by the end of 2014. The Governor's Export Advisory Council will work with the Governor and other state officials and agencies to provide recommendations aimed at improving Illinois' standing in the international marketplace.

"Illinois is home to world-class goods and services, and we should utilize all of our assets in order to market them around the world," Governor Quinn said. "Expanding trade opportunities in growth markets like China, Australia, Brazil and India puts Illinois products in the international marketplace and creates jobs here at home."

The council, which is headed by Navistar chairman and CEO Daniel C. Ustian, will work to increase exports by providing recommendations on state policies and programs with the goal of fully leveraging Illinois' competitive strengths in the international marketplace. The council will also advise the Governor on trade advocacy positions at the federal level, and council members will serve as international ambassadors for Illinois. Members will work to promote Illinois firms and the inherent advantages Illinois can offer countries seeking trade opportunities.

"The key for Illinois manufacturers and other businesses is to foster a strong environment for growth, and Governor Quinn shares my passion for creating those opportunities by developing a strong trade policy," said Ustian. "We have great companies and Illinois is rich in assets and talented workers. With business leaders and the Governor's administration working together, we can gain a competitive edge in the global economy."

The Governor's aggressive focus on harnessing and promoting the strength of Illinois companies abroad will have a significant impact on job creation at home. Devising and successfully implementing strategies to meet the 2014 target will result in the addition or retention of nearly 230,000 jobs in Illinois.

The Governor's Export Advisory Council will be made up of CEOs and other prominent leaders from the private and public sectors whose work in the international marketplace has uniquely positioned them to provide insight into Illinois' ability to significantly expand exports. For a complete list of members, please see the attachment.

The council will meet several times a year and will work with the Illinois Departments of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, and Agriculture. After identifying challenges to expand exports, the council will recommend policies and programs that will help Illinois better compete at a global level. It will also work with their peers in the private sector and Illinois companies to promote Illinois as a great state to do business.

For more information about Governor Quinn's State of the State address, please visit www.illinois.gov, and for more information about why Illinois is a great place to do business, please visit www.illinoisbiz.biz.

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31 Jan 2012

Governor Quinn Announces First Investments from State's New Venture Capital Fund

By Nafia Khan

Invest Illinois Venture Fund Providing Access to Capital for Young, High-Growth Companies to Create Jobs and Grow the Economy

CHICAGO - January 31, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today announced the first investments from the state's new venture capital fund to support two Illinois start-up businesses, Buzz Referrals, Inc. and AuraSense Therapeutics. The Invest Illinois Venture Fund (IIVF) is a new venture capital program that is part of the $78 million Advantage Illinois program launched by Governor Quinn last October. The program supports young, innovative Illinois companies that show high growth potential, can demonstrate their place in the market and already have other investors.

"This new venture fund is allowing us to help small and start-up businesses increase innovation and competition, expand, and create good-paying jobs," Governor Quinn said. "We must continue to do everything we can to provide small businesses and entrepreneurs with the tools they need to grow in order to boost the economy, create jobs and compete in the global marketplace."

The state's $575,000 investment in Chicago-based start-up Buzz Referrals and Evanston-based AuraSense Therapeutics will help the two companies leverage $10.5 million in indirect private investment. The additional capital will help these companies continue to grow their businesses and create jobs. The additional capital will help these companies continue to grow their businesses and create jobs.

Founded in 2011, Buzz Referrals is a high-growth start-up business that develops and operates an online platform that creates custom referral programs based on social media. The platform allows corporations, small businesses, agencies, brokers and nonprofits to create and track online messaging that can be shared via email, social networks and word-of-mouth to maximize their contacts and customers. The IIVF helped Buzz Referrals leverage additional investments, which will enable the company to increase its staff size from four full-time employees to 20 full-time employees over the next two years.

"We'd like to thank Governor Quinn and the state of Illinois for their commitment to entrepreneurship and startups through the Invest Illinois Venture Fund," said Jordan Linville, CEO and co-founder of Buzz Referrals. "Buzz Referrals offers simple and cost-effective solutions to help businesses acquire new customers through referral marketing. The IIVF's funding and resources will accelerate our growth and help Buzz Referrals be a leader within this space."

AuraSense Therapeutics, founded in early 2011, is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing and commercializing spherical nucleic acid (SNA™) constructs, which can help fight diseases such as heart disease, cancer, skin conditions and bacterial infection. With the capital leveraged through the IIVF, the company expects to greatly accelerate the development and growth of multiple therapeutics and create dozens of jobs over the next three years.

"We are delighted to have Illinois' new venture fund as part of the syndicate investing in AuraSense Therapeutics. Their participation is not only important validation of the AuraSense mission and gene regulation platform, but also will be key in transitioning the technology to important new therapeutics for a wide variety of debilitating diseases," said Chad Mirkin, co-founder of AuraSense Therapeutics.

Governor Quinn launched the Advantage Illinois program in October 2011 to provide Illinois businesses and entrepreneurs with the access to the capital they need to start new companies and expand existing businesses. Advantage Illinois will leverage $78 million in federal funding that will allow businesses to bring innovative ideas and new products to market, and accelerate job creation and economic growth in Illinois. The IIVF is supported by the Governor's Illinois Innovation Council, which is actively working to execute strategies to enhance awareness of capital availability in Illinois and connect the dots between great ideas and the partners who can help turn ideas into companies and products.

In addition to the IIVF, the Advantage Illinois program is comprised of several components to spur institutional lending, including the Capital Access Program (CAP), the Participation Loan Program (PLP) and the Collateral Support Program (CSP). Some small businesses may also be eligible to receive Advantage Illinois financing. Businesses interested in participating in the IIVF may submit their applications online to DCEO at www.ildceo.net/AdvantageIllinois.

Advantage Illinois builds upon Governor Quinn's commitment to enhancing business growth. The Advantage Illinois initiative is expected to generate a minimum of at least $10 in new private lending for small and medium-sized businesses for every $1 of federal funding, resulting in around $800 million of private sector investments and loans being pumped into the economy over the next few years. The Brookings Institution recently noted more than 95 percent of new jobs are derived from business expansions or start-up activity.

Administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), funding for Advantage Illinois is being provided by the U.S. Treasury through the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI), which was created as part of the American Small Business Jobs Act signed into law by President Obama in 2010.

"Through the IIVF, we are giving businesses a booster shot in the form of deploying new tools to ease the credit crunch they have experienced in recent years, improve the field of play and give Illinois companies an advantage against the competition," said DCEO Director Warren Ribley. "We will continue to target investments in every area of the economy to help keep moving Illinois forward."

Governor Quinn announced the first investments from the state's new venture fund today at Chicago-based Excelerate Labs, a business incubator and accelerator for startups driven by proven entrepreneurs and investors. Today's announcement is part of Governor Quinn's aggressive business agenda that is helping move the Illinois economy forward. The state maintains a large portfolio of programs, which is designed to help Illinois businesses thrive in today's economy. For more information, please visit www.ilbiz.biz.

 

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24 Jan 2012

Governor Quinn Signs Law to Overhaul School Performance Reporting

By Nafia Khan

New School Report Cards to Help Parents and Communities
Measure Performance

 

CHICAGO - January 24, 2012. As part of his ongoing commitment to reform education in Illinois, Governor Pat Quinn today signed legislation that will give parents and communities more information about their schools' performance than ever before. The new law makes changes to school report cards, and report cards for school districts, in an effort to continue improving the state's primary and secondary education system. This law was the result of ongoing work by the Governor's P-20 Council, which was formed in 2009 to work with teachers, administrators and other stakeholders to improve education in Illinois.

 

"Every child in Illinois deserves access to a good, well-rounded education and we want every parent to know how their child's school is performing," Governor Quinn said. "Empowering parents and communities with this information increases accountability in our schools and allows us to better judge what works and what can be done better."

 

Sponsored by Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia (D-Aurora) and Sen. Kimberly Lightford (D-Maywood), House Bill 605 makes changes to the report cards submitted to parents, the Governor, the General Assembly and the State Board of Education starting in the 2013-2014 school year for elementary, middle and high schools statewide. The new cards will help the state better evaluate the success of schools, programs and districts by allowing comparisons between similar schools across the state, as well as current and past outcomes and progress.

 

The revamped report cards will include :

 

  • School characteristics and student demographics (school enrollment; racial and ethnic background; # of low income students; per pupil expenditure)
  • Curriculum information (availability of AP classes; availability of foreign language classes; school personnel resources; dual credit enrollment)
  • Student outcomes (percentage of students meeting and exceeding state standards; graduation rates; percentage of college-ready students)

 

  • Student progress (number of students entering kindergarten ready to learn; student growth measures; percentage of students entering high school on track for college or career)

 

  • School environment (teacher and principal retention; percentage of students and teachers with fewer than 10 absences; measures of school learning climate)

 

"Every child in Illinois, regardless of background or ethnicity, deserves an effective education," P-20 Council Chairman Miguel Del Valle said. "Knowing how schools serve students and their communities is key to understanding how we improve our education system as a whole."

 

"The first step towards improving our schools is knowing where we stand," Rep. Chapa LaVia said. "Giving parents, teachers, administrators and lawmakers the information they need to make decisions about the future of our children is the responsible thing to do for our communities and our education system."

 

"Parents have a right to know how their child's school is performing," Sen. Lightford said. "The new report card is important from both an informational and a transparency standpoint, and will allow us to track vital information about student progress and determine what policies and practices are working and how we can do better. It's an essential tool for parents and educators alike."

 

HB605, which passed the General Assembly unanimously, follows historic education reform Governor Quinn signed into law last year, which facilitated longer school days and stronger standards for teachers. The new cards (example attached) are a result of collaboration between the Governor's P-20 Council, the Illinois Federation of Teachers, school districts, state lawmakers and education advocacy groups from across the state.

 

The new law goes into effect immediately.

 

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24 Jan 2012

Governor Quinn Announces Federal Funding to Improve Nursing Home Safety

By Nafia Khan

Funding Will Support Landmark Nursing Home Reforms 

CHICAGO - January 24, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today announced $110 million in additional federal funding for enhanced safety, increased staffing and quality standards in nursing homes. Federal authorities approved a federal Medicaid funding match that will allow the state to fully implement the reforms designed to protect frail older adults and persons with disabilities living in long term care facilities. Today's announcement is the next in a series of steps to improve quality of care at Illinois nursing homes stemming from the work of the Governor's Nursing Home Safety Task Force.

Under the funding mechanism approved by the U.S. Health and Human Services Department, nursing homes will pay a provider tax that will be pooled, generating the $110 million in federal Medicaid matching funds. The bulk of these funds will be redistributed to nursing homes to enable the homes to pay for the increased staffing and quality standards that are required under the state's nursing home reform laws.

"This is positive news for people who live in a nursing home or have a loved one living in a nursing home," Governor Quinn said. "It means that our nursing homes get the funds that they need to continue improving safety and the quality of services that I signed into law as part of our nursing home reforms."

The funding mechanism is being administered by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services. It will also generate $20 million that will go toward increasing staff at the Illinois Department of Public Health, which will inspect and regulate nursing homes. A portion of the funds will also go toward expanded home and community-based services that serve as an alternative to nursing home care.

"Under the Governor's leadership, we partnered with state agencies and other interested organizations to bring this policy to fruition," Pat Comstock, executive director of the Health Care Council of Illinois, said. "Adequate funding for nursing home care will continue to be an important issue, and we must continually look for fair, creative solutions to ensure all nursing home residents in Illinois have proper care and a good quality of life."

Governor Quinn formed the Nursing Home Safety Task Force in October 2009 to respond to concerns about the safety and regulation of nursing homes. The Task Force held a series of public meetings and recommended legislation to address these concerns. This led to the passage of Senate Bill 326, sponsored by Sen. Heather Steans (D-Chicago) and Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie (D-Chicago). The legislation signed into law by Governor Quinn authorized the increased staffing and safety provisions, as well as revisions to the screening process for nursing homes to protect older adults from residents with a record of criminal violence.

A second law generated by the Task Force, Senate Bill 2863, sponsored by Sen. Jacqueline Collins (D-Chicago) and then Rep. Harry Osterman (D-Chicago), was designed to crack down on fraud, abuse and neglect in nursing homes.

For more information about the Governor's Nursing Home Safety Task Force, please visit:  http://www2.illinois.gov/nursinghomesafety/Pages/default.aspx.

 

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23 Jan 2012

Statement from Governor Quinn Regarding Senator Mark Kirk

By Nafia Khan
CHICAGO - January 23, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today released a statement regarding Senator Mark Kirk, who suffered a stroke this weekend.

"Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to the senator and his family as we wish him a swift and strong recovery. We can all take comfort knowing that as a Navy commander, Sen. Kirk knows how to fight and he will fight through this to return to his work on behalf of the people of Illinois as quickly as possible."

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19 Jan 2012

Governor Quinn Announces Nearly $19 Million in Federal Funding for Local Infrastructure Projects

By Nafia Khan

Community Development Assistance Grants Will Support Needed Improvements in 59 Small, Rural Communities Statewide

SPRINGFIELD - January 18, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today announced nearly $19 million in federal funding to address the infrastructure needs of 59 small and rural communities throughout Illinois. Awarded through the Community Development Assistance Program (CDAP), the funding will be used to make improvements to water and sewer lines, including replacing water mains, upgrading storm water systems and repairing sewer lines.

"This funding will help make much needed infrastructure improvements in many of our smaller communities that were hit hardest by the economic downturn," Governor Quinn said. "These infrastructure projects will help revitalize the local economy and create jobs."

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) administers Illinois' CDAP program, which is known nationally as the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program and provides federal funding for a variety of community-based projects. Communities with populations of 50,000 or less can apply for CDAP grant funding to support a variety of projects.

"Through the state's CDAP program, we are building up the infrastructure of our smaller and rural communities," said Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) Director Warren Ribley. "These improvements will help provide safe drinking water and reliable water supply and sanitation systems while creating construction jobs to support the needed infrastructure upgrades and improvements, and will set the stage for future economic development."

On behalf of Governor Quinn, DCEO Director Warren Ribley visited Herrin yesterday to announce the city's $350,000 grant that will be used to replace water mains in the community. The nearly $19 million in competitive public infrastructure grants will be distributed to 59 small and rural communities throughout the state.

Illinois' CDAP program supports communities with populations of 50,000 and fewer that are not located within a US Housing and Urban Development (HUD)-designated "entitlement community," or one of the eight designated "entitlement" urban counties. The complete list of Illinois communities receiving 2011 CDAP-Public Infrastructure funding is attached.

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18 Jan 2012

Governor Quinn Announces $3 Million Investment in Rockford's New Multi-Modal Station

By Nafia Khan

New Rockford Station and Chicago-Rockford-Dubuque Rail Corridor Expected to Support Nearly 700 Jobs

ROCKFORD - January 17, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today announced a $3 million investment to develop a new multi-modal station in Rockford just south of the downtown area. The Illinois Jobs Now! capital plan funding to design and engineer the new facility is in addition to the $60 million allocated to construct the Chicago-Rockford-Dubuque rail corridor. The two projects together are expected to support nearly 700 jobs, and bring rail access back to a part of the state that has not seen service in 30 years.

"Investing in Rockford is good for Illinois," Governor Quinn said. "Not only will we create a new station and Amtrak service, we'll create new jobs and attract more economic development to the Rockford area. Illinois residents will have additional travel options and reduced travel times from Rockford to the Chicago area and to western parts of our state."

The total cost of the new multi-modal station is expected to be approximately $12 million, including design and engineering. The Illinois Department of Transportation and City of Rockford will work to obtain the additional funds to move construction of the project forward. Construction is expected to begin in late 2012 on the site of the former Amtrak station in Rockford.

"This is great news for Illinois. Under the leadership of Governor Quinn, the grant allocated for this project is expected to provide easy access for Amtrak passengers to and from the Rockford metropolitan area," Illinois Transportation Secretary Ann Schneider said. "The new facility also will encourage the public to use transit as a mode of transportation and expand community access."

The new station, which will serve Amtrak's new Chicago-Rockford-Dubuque corridor, replaces a dilapidated structure that the city of Rockford demolished at its own expense last year.  The facility will support both passenger rail and public transit, which will improve accessibility and air quality by reducing vehicle emissions.

The Chicago-Rockford-Dubuque corridor is planned to carry one round-trip per day with planned stops in South Elgin, Genoa, Rockford, Freeport and Galena. Construction on the new facility and corridor is expected to be complete by the end of 2014.

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17 Jan 2012

Governor Quinn Announces 100 New Jobs at Excel Foundry & Machine

By Nafia Khan

State Investment will Help Company Expand Operations,
Boost North Central Illinois Economy

PEKIN - January 17, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today announced that Excel Foundry & Machine, a company located in Pekin, Illinois, plans to expand operations and create 100 new jobs over the next two years. The state's investment will help Excel, a manufacturer of bronze parts for the mining industry, expand its global footprint and boost economic development in North Central Illinois.

"Illinois' strong manufacturing tradition is due in large part to the strength of our workforce, our ability to help companies to move product quickly and our investments in infrastructure," Governor Quinn said. "Excel is one example of how supporting our small and mid-sized manufacturers continues to increase Illinois' competitiveness."

Excel plans to invest $7.4 million to construct a new 108,750 square foot warehouse adjacent to its existing plant, in addition to an 8,600 square foot addition to the main office and a 3,373 square foot addition to the foundry. The project will result in 100 new jobs in addition to its existing 230-person workforce.

The state is investing more that $1 million consisting of Economic Development for a Growing Economy tax credits, which are based on job creation, and an Employer Training Incentive Program grant to help enhance the skills of its workforce. The state's investment is contingent on the company meeting its investment and job numbers.

Tazewell County will also receive a $750,000 Community Development Assistance Program grant through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), and more than $859,000 through the Illinois Department of Transportation's (IDOT) Economic Development Program for road improvements to accommodate the expansion.

"I am pleased that Excel will continue its  tradition of manufacturing excellence right here in Illinois," said DCEO Director Warren Ribley. "Through projects such as this, we are keeping our manufacturing sector strong, creating jobs for the future and supporting our long-term economic growth."

"Providing safe, reliable infrastructure is critical to protecting and creating jobs," said Illinois Transportation Secretary Ann Schneider. "We are proud to contribute to a project that will help a local company grow and invest in the community."

Illinois added 62,300 jobs in 2011 and 105,600 jobs since January 2010. Since January 2010, the state has added 18,200 manufacturing jobs.

For more information on why Illinois is the right place for any business, visit www.illinoisbiz.biz.

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