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Illinois State Senate Candidate Bill Gentes
The Local Economy
The Issues:
- Inadequate number of jobs available that pay adequately to support individuals and families.
- Companies are finding it increasingly difficult to locate individuals who are prepared for moderate to higher level skilled positions.
- Health care and other benefits costs for small businesses are soaring.
- No paid leave for expectant mothers and no sick time or unpaid leave for low wage workers. Of 173 countries, 97% require paid leave for childbirth, 84% require paid sick time for all employees (57% mandating 14 or more days).
- Essentially no benefits for part time employees, who often are in low wage jobs.
- An “anti-business” climate in Illinois.
The Impacts:
- Many employees are losing ground financially, health needs drain financial resources and job losses are a too frequent reality.
- Small businesses have difficulty surviving because they cannot compete with benefits packages.
- Companies are leaving Illinois for more business friendly states or countries.
- Social service programs are heavily impacted by the unemployed or marginally employed.
- Low wage earners cannot afford to take time off or often lose their jobs if they do.
The Actions
- Skills training and generally upgrading the abilities of lower level employees should be a paramount effort. Government in concert with private industry and training companies can forge a program that will enhance the potential for employment for the unemployed due to the unavailability of jobs requiring their current skills.
- Work with high schools and community and technical colleges to insure that everyone has an opportunity to meet the requirements for the increasing demand for skilled employment.
- Spearhead ways for small businesses to have health care benefits for employees thereby opening up more opportunities for individuals who need medical coverage and broadening the candidate pool for these companies.
- Provide paid sick time and/or paid leave for all employees.
- Stimulate new jobs in small businesses (under 500 employees) with tax credits tied directly to job creation.
- Examine the potential for expanding tax credits to supplies and services that support manufacturing process.
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