State Representative Jeff Keicher (Republican 70th District of Sycamore) presented statistics showing the impact of unemployment and what he termed negative business strategies on Illinois residents during his presentation at this week’s meeting. Drawing on data from the non-partisan Illinois Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (COGFA), Keicher said that Illinois’ current unemployment rate of 4.9% is higher than that national average of 4.1%. This translates into 55,400 underemployed people. He said when compared to the six states bordering Illinois, there were 722,000 fewer people employed during the ten year census period of 2010 to 2020 than would have occurred if the State were just “average.” Keicher said this translates into $26 billion of lost wages that otherwise could have gone into the state’s economy.
Keicher noted that a change to senior citizen drivers test requirements passed the General Assembly this year and was signed into law by the Governor. The law mirrored a bill he introduced last year but which did not get called for a vote. It resurfaced this year promoted by the Secretary of State. It removes a requirement for yearly behind-the-wheel testing for those age 79-86. Immediate family members are allowed to report concerns to the Secretary of State that can trigger further evaluation. Keicher said he brought the bill forward after concerns were expressed during a town hall meeting and he analyzed data that showed the accident rate for this age group was actually less than other age groups. He pointed out the value of raising issues and concerns to local legislators who can help get laws changed.
Keicher also talked about several other legislative issues making news. One was the Governor’s veto of a bill allowing the State Treasurer to create an investment pool that could be used by non-profits to potentially earn more interest than current investment restrictions generate. However, the Governor was concerned that this might lead to the state inadvertently funding extremist groups who are registered as non-profits. Keicher said Lawmakers will likely be discussing ways to help fix large deficits faced by Chicago area mass transit agencies. And he predicted further dialogue with the Chicago Bears as the football team pushes for state assistance to help build a new stadium.