The top Democrat in the State Senate is defending Illinois as a good place to do business. IPR'S Tony Arnold reports.
John Cullerton took a big picture look at Illinois’ economy Thursday. The Senate President delivered a speech at the Union League Club in downtown Chicago, portraying Illinois as a competitive place to do business compared to surrounding states.
CULLERTON: "Now don’t get me wrong. It’s not all rainbows and unicorns, right?"
Cullerton acknowledged Illinois’ nearly 6 billion dollars in old bills and its debt owed to state employees’ pensions. But he defended lawmakers, saying the culture has changed in Springfield in recent years
CULLERTON: "We are doing what needs to be done and we are doing it with a sense of responsibility that was previously lacking at the Capitol."
The Democrat also said he wants the Republican nominee for governor to present a state budget after next week’s primary.