February 9, 2012

According to two recent rankings, Illinois is leading the nation – unfortunately it’s for things we’d rather not be. A new survey by the job search site Career Builder listed Illinois as the eighth worst state for job seekers. Noting that “not all states are equal when it comes to economic recovery,” the report suggested Illinois’ higher than average unemployment rate (9.8 percent) and number of foreclosures (151,304 in 2010) are making it very difficult for those seeking employment in the Land of Lincoln.

As tough as things are for those struggling in the job market, a second survey suggests things are even worse for those who’ve retired from it. According to TopRetirements.com, Illinois is now the second-worst state for retirees to live due to its pension funding, deficit spending, unemployment and foreclosure rates that are “among the worst of any state.”

Neither survey made recommendations on how Illinois can fix its woes, but we in the Senate Republican caucus have come up with a few common-sense suggestions.