Governor Bruce Rauner is creating a public private partnership with a goal of attracting jobs to Illinois. The new department will work within the state's existing economic development agency, but will be funded with private money.
"Every year, we're going to set goals for how many companies we're recruited, how many jobs we've brought from other states and other nations here to Illinois. We're going to measure and report on it on a constant basis."
The Republican used his executive authority to bypass the legislature as Democrats have raised the issue of transparency. Senate Democratic Spokesman John Patterson says their main concern is that public accountability follow public dollars.
Rauner says his new Illinois Business and Economic Development Corporation will be have the task of negotiating with companies on tax breaks and other incentives.
It will have its own board, selected by donors and state officials. The Governor says he's yet to decide if he will serve on it, but says either way he will be very involved.