Spending on the military and defense in Illinois supports 150,000 jobs and more than 13 billion dollars worth of economic activity.
That's the conclusion of a new study announced Thursday by Illinois Lieutenant Governor Sheila Simon and the Illinois Chamber of Commerce Foundation. Simon says the study will help prepare the state for possible future defense spending cuts, and any additional base re-alignments and closings.
“Really the best way to get a handle on and help shape any cuts that are to come, is to know exactly what the impact of defense spending is.”
The results figures are based on employment and spending for active military installations, Department of Defense contracts, National Guard facilities, and payments to military retirees and school districts.
She says there's at least 1,000 defense-related jobs in each of Illinois' congressional districts.