Illinois currently has the 7th highest workers' compensation costs in the country, more than double neighboring Indiana.

Terry L. Denison, Chairman

Illinois Economic Development Association (IEDA)

"The Illinois Economic Development Association (IEDA) is pleased that Governor Rauner's Administration has focused on key issues that will directly affect economic development in Illinois.  These are issues that must be addressed if Illinois is to remain competitive with our Midwest neighbors, as well as, the rest of the world.  Our members are in the trenches, every day, working to retain, expand, create and recruit job opportunities for our Illinois residents.  We know what it takes to make economic development successful.  One key issue affecting economic development in Illinois is our Workman's Compensation Program and its rates.  They are extremely uncompetitive!  Because of this, Illinois is losing new business opportunities, losing existing companies and losing existing jobs.  Illinois must improve the Workers Comp Program and lower its rates in order to be competitive, again!  If everyone will work together for the greater good of our State, we will accomplish much."

Ryan McCrady, President

Economic Development Corp. of Decatur & Macon County

"We are constantly competing against other states for businesses that are looking to make new investments.  We must also be sensitive to retaining the jobs and businesses that are currently in our communities.  The current workers compensation laws and policies are uncompetitive and making it difficult to attract investment in Illinois. It is critical that adjustments be made to create a workers' compensation system that is competitive with other states, fairly compensates workers, and equitably funds service providers if we want to grow and retain jobs in Illinois.  Workers compensation expense is one of the top factors considered by businesses making location and investment decisions.  We need to make sure our workers compensation environment does not remove Illinois from consideration for these investments.

Reggie Greenwood, Executive Director

Chicago Southland Economic Development Corporation 

"The State of Illinois passed changes to the Illinois Workers Compensation system in 2011 designed to decrease the costs of workers compensation insurance to Illinois businesses.  Although these reforms were politically difficult to pass and they modified the complex worker compensation process to introduce new opportunities to control costs, they have not significantly made the Illinois systems more competitive compared to Indiana.

The Chicago Southland Economic Development Corporation supports the expansion of existing manufacturing companies and attraction of new companies to South Cook and East Will Counties.  In this work, we constantly see evidence of the significantly lower workers compensation costs in Indiana which have been a major factor in the Chicago Southland losing manufacturing companies to Indiana.

We firmly believe in the value of workers compensation and safety regulations to provide a safe working environment for people working in the Chicago Southland.  However, we believe there are significant additional reforms that can continue to lower the costs of workers compensation without damaging worker safety.

The Chicago Southland Economic Development Corporation strongly supports Governor Rauner's and the State of Illinois's efforts to increase our ability to promote development in the Chicago Southland by continuing to reform the Illinois Workers Compensation system to make it more cost effective."

Pam Cumpata, President

McHenry County Economic Development Corporation

Michael H. Stevens, President & CEO

Lake County Partners

"As we work together to fight for every job, the State's cost of doing business needs to be competitive with our neighbors and other States across the country. Illinois excessive workers' compensation costs, in particular, are a major barrier to our efforts. Reforming workers compensation to bring down costs is critical to creating a level playing field, on which Illinois will succeed due to our skilled workforce, strategic location, and leading global industries."

Ivan Baker

Director, Tinley Park Economic Development

Board Member, International Economic Development Council

"Businesses have to evaluate all costs in determining locations for expansion and growth.   While Illinois companies emphasize training and safe working environments, they pay the 7^th highest workers compensation index rate in the nation....higher than every other state in the Midwest.  High workers comp rates definitely impact the business climate in our great state, and our ability to effectively compete for new jobs."

John Greuling

President & CEO, Will County Center for Economic Development

"From manufacturing, to construction, to food processing to energy production, industries across Will County tell us every day they are suffering from extreme workers compensation costs and looking to the borders where costs are drastically lower. Illinois cannot afford to drive these job creators away. We must act now to further reform workers compensation policies to prevent further job losses and to help us attract new investment to grow our economy. "

David Abshire, Vice President

LB STEEL, LLC

"There is an urgent need for litigation reform relative to Illinois Worker's Comp.  Legal costs drive up Illinois Worker's Comp rates.

Illinois can quickly be much more business friendly by expediting the adoption of important elements of the Indiana Worker's Comp Model."

The Rockford Area Economic Development Corporation 

"The Rockford Area EDC surveys a number of companies in the area each year to see what is on the minds of the owners or general managers.

In 2013 we surveyed 112 companies.

Some quotes from local employers:

• 'The combination of workers compensation laws and unemployment insurance is a problem. We recently had an employee get fired for causing an accident on the job. The former employee denied there ever was an accident and was granted unemployment. The employee then filed for workers' comp.'

• 'Currently, an employer can hire a new employee. Said employee has an existing injury or illness. If that employee aggravates the existing injury at work, even in the slightest and files a claim, the new employer has just bought that injury. Many States limit the financial liability of the employer in the case of an existing condition.'

• 'I would like to see a limitation if an employee fails a post-accident drug screen. Many States go so far as to deny workers compensation benefits to an employee who is using drugs or alcohol in the workplace.'

• 'If an employee is determined to be engaging in activities outside of assigned restrictions away from work, that employee's workers comp benefits should be reduced or suspended.'"

"Our concern in regards to worker's compensation reform has transitioned from business attraction to business retention.  Simply stated, we cannot afford to lose our manufacturers to other communities outside of Illinois because our state judiciary bodies will not implement and enforce true reform."

Quad Cities uses three-run sixth inning to snap six-game losing streak at Kane County

GENEVA, Ill. (May 4, 2015) - Right-hander Austin Chrismon became the first Quad Cities River Bandits starter to pitch seven innings in a game this season, and left fielder Derek Fisher hit a go-ahead two-run double in a three-run sixth inning that gave the visitors a 3-1 victory over the Kane County Cougars at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark and season-high sixth straight win Monday night.

Eight different River Bandits had a hit in the team's 11^th comeback victory of the year. After losing its last six games at Kane County last season, Quad Cities (19-6) won Monday to remain perfect in five road series openers this season and opened a five-game first-place lead in in the Midwest League Western Division. Quad Cities' six-game winning streak is its longest since six straight wins last May 27-June 1.

Chrismon (3-1) allowed one run on five hits in the first three innings, but after allowing an infield single to start the fourth inning, he set down the next 12 batters in order. He was charged with one earned run on six hits and no walks with one strikeout in seven innings. Right-hander Jose Montero worked around a single in the eighth inning to toss two scoreless innings for his fourth save. In the last seven games, the River Bandits (19-6) have allowed eight total runs, and just five earned runs in 65 innings for a 0.69 team ERA in that span.

Opposite Chrismon, Cougars right-hander Markus Solbach (1-2) held the River Bandits to one hit, one walk and no runs through the first five innings. Kane County (11-14) gave Solbach a 1-0 lead in the third inning. Right fielder Josh Elander hit a one-out single to right field and went to second base on a groundout by center fielder Colin Bray. Shortstop Ryan Gebhardt reached on an infield single to the left side to put runners at first and third bases, and second baseman Cody Regis hit an RBI single through the right side of the infield, before designated hitter Steve McQuail flied out to end the inning.

In the pivotal top of the sixth inning, shortstop Kristian Trompiz hit a leadoff single to center field and on a pitch in the dirt by Solbach, Trompiz ran for second base, where he dodged Gebhardt's tag. Right fielder Bobby Boyd grounded out to Regis to advance Trompiz to third base. First baseman Jamie Ritchie then drew a full-count walk, before Fisher hit the first pitch from Solbach to the warning track in left-center field to score Trompiz and Ritchie with the tying and go-ahead runs, respectively. Second baseman Mott Hyde, the reigning Midwest League Player of the Week, then singled to center field, and after Bray's throw to the plate, Fisher avoided the tag of catcher Jose Queliz to make it 3-1. Third baseman Nick Tanielu followed with a single to chase Solbach, who was charged with three earned runs on five hits and two walks with three strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings. Right-hander Jency Solis came in to get catcher Jacob Nottingham to ground into an inning-ending double play.

The Cougars bullpen worked 3 2/3 scoreless innings. In the seventh inning, Solis allowed a leadoff single to designated hitter Sean McMullen but picked him off first base. Left fielder Jason Martin then walked, and Trompiz was hit by a pitch, but a strikeout and fielder's choice ended the inning. In the eighth inning, right-hander Cody Geyer allowed a one-out walk to Hyde and singles by Tanielu and Nottingham to load the bases, before McMullen lined to first baseman Marty Herum for an inning-ending double play. In the ninth inning, right-hander Nick Baker allowed Martin's leadoff single before Queliz threw out Martin at second base on a missed bunt by Trompiz. Boyd added a two-out double, but Baker struck out Ritchie to end the inning.

Winners of seven straight road games with an 11-2 overall record on the road this season, the River Bandits continue their series in Kane County at noon Monday. River Bandits right-hander Daniel Mengden (1-1) is scheduled to face Cougars right-hander Brent Jones (1-2).

IowaNEXT Will Strengthen and Grow Iowa's Cultural and Sports Attractions Attracting Tourism, Creating Jobs and Generating Economic Opportunity Statewide

Tuesday, May 5, 2015 - Today, Team Iowa Sports, joined by Iowa's leading sports brands, announced their support of new efforts to advance the IowaNEXT plan, a comprehensive, common-sense program to provide greater public funding for sports, arts and cultural attractions throughout the state.

A senate study bill introduced in the Economic Growth Budget Sub-committee by Senator Bill Dotzler (D-Waterloo), will advance Governor Branstad's vision to improve quality of life for Iowans and generate economic opportunity through increased tourism. Members of Team Iowa Sports will join with other supporters to testify in support of the legislation at a subcommittee hearing today.

"Throughout the United States, and throughout the Midwest, people and businesses are relocating to dynamic communities with exciting cultural amenities, entertainment and attractions that contribute to a better quality of life," said David Adelman, spokesman for Team Iowa Sports. "In today's market, Iowa must do a better job if we hope to retain the people we have and attract more residents, businesses and tourists to grow our economy. IowaNEXT is a logical, common sense plan to help our state achieve this goal and we support Senator Dotzler's efforts today to advance this mission."

As it is envisioned, IowaNext will provide increased funding and focus for public parks, historic sites, museums, festivals and those attractions that enrich a community and draw visitors. Importantly, the plan would also create a recurring funding stream to support the retention and attraction of high quality events that put Iowa on a national stage and retain Iowans. IowaNEXT would help support events like NCAA Regional men's and women's basketball events, NASCAR and IndyCar racing, Olympic trials for wrestling and track & field and other smaller regional events while establishing the foundation to attract more nationally-televised events.

According to a report by the National Governors Association, "By investing in the arts and incorporating arts and culture into their economic development plans, states can reap numerous benefits?economic, social, civic, and cultural?that help generate a more stable, creative workforce; new tourism; and more livable communities.

About Team Iowa Sports

Team Iowa is a consortium of Iowa sports commissions and convention and visitors bureaus across the state to promote Iowa as a premier destination for sports activities. The Consortium works to promote and market sporting events drawing from local, regional and national interests. It also stimulates a healthy lifestyle for the youth in the community by encouraging their participation and attendance at sporting events.