Republicans say Illinois' drop in unemployment during July doesn't hide the fact the state still has one of the highest jobless rates in the nation. But during a stop in Bloomington Thursday, Governor Pat Quinn said it's better to have more higher paying jobs than neighboring states where wages trend lower.
"We're 8th in the country when it comes to wages. Indiana I think is 40th. We want people to get a decent wage for their hard work so they can have a middle-class standard of living."
The Illinois Department of Employment Security reports Illinois' unemployment rate in July fell from 9.2% last year to 6.8% this year. That's the biggest drop in thirty years.
Quinn says his administration's investments in manufacturing and overhauls to workers' compensation and unemployment insurance helped create jobs.
Jobs have been a major issue in the governor's race with Republican Bruce Rauner criticizing Quinn for tax policy.