Daley says Illinois economy suffering

Thursday, August 22, 2013

The Illinois Quad-City economy may be faring better than in some other parts of the state, but the pension mess, cuts to education and other problems will give Republicans an opening in the general election next year, Bill Daley said Wednesday.
The former U.S. Commerce secretary who is challenging Gov. Pat Quinn for the Democratic Party's nomination next year will be in the Quad-Cities today to attend a fundraiser for state Sen. Mike Jacobs, D-East Moline.
In an interview Wednesday, Daley acknowledged the Quad-City area's unemployment rate is lower than other Illinois metro areas, but he countered that the state as a whole suffers in comparison to its neighbors — and most of the country.
"I know there are pockets of some better news, but overall, when you look at the state and say second-worst unemployment in the nation and higher than any state bordering us, that's a pretty bad thing," Daley said.
"It would be a stretch to say that the state is doing well or has done well over the last 12 years," he added.