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* Today’s speech wasn’t solely about the budget. It was also a State of the State address…
Five years ago, when people said we couldn’t do it, many of us went to work eliminating our bill backlog and balancing five state budgets in a row. We created a $2 billion Rainy Day Fund. We achieved nine credit upgrades. And in the face of a pandemic and high inflation, we delivered historic tax relief, provided record levels of rental and mortgage assistance, and reduced interest costs by paying off more than $11 billion in debt.
We’ve also grown Illinois’ economy to over $1 trillion. That’s more than most nations. In 2023 alone, we attracted billions of dollars in new business investments and created tens of thousands of new jobs.
In fact, on average, a new business moved to Illinois or expanded here every single day last year.
Thanks to our bipartisan tax credit legislation, Illinois is now the world’s fourth largest data center market, and we broke an all-time record for film and TV production revenue. Tourism is booming. Last year, Illinois’ hotel industry set a record at $5.5 billion.
In the Midwest, we are now the number one state for workforce development. Across all fifty states, we are number two for infrastructure. Number two for education. Number three for power grid reliability. We have the number one and number two best business schools in the country. Since 2018, we moved up a whopping thirteen spots in CNBC’s Best States for Business.
These are the things that matter to businesses looking for a home. Where their workforce can live, work, and play affordably and with world class healthcare and education.
Now we have a lot of work left to do—but we, together, have met this moment we are in. Do not let the doom grifters steal your optimism about what’s ahead for Illinois. Our future is bright, and opportunity lies ahead.
…Adding… Soon to be on t-shirts everywhere?…
Credit: John Amdor.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Feb 21, 24 @ 1:06 pm
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– Number three for power grid reliability –
For now.
Comment by JB13 Wednesday, Feb 21, 24 @ 1:11 pm
Believe Doom Grifters is the big bad guy in Marvel’s new “Fantastic Four” movie.
Comment by George Ryan Reynolds Wednesday, Feb 21, 24 @ 1:12 pm
Doom grifters. This governor is sharp.
Comment by H-W Wednesday, Feb 21, 24 @ 1:20 pm
==For now.==
That puts you squarely in the “doom grifter” category. Thanks for giving us an example.
Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Feb 21, 24 @ 1:23 pm
Southeast Illinois’ chief Doom Grifter and Baby Doom Grifter and listing the American Legion in Olney tonight. I suspect to explain, a) why the Daddy grifter didn’t endorse him and b) how we are all doomed because Pritzker is sending illegals to flood southern Illinois.
Comment by Route50commentor Wednesday, Feb 21, 24 @ 1:28 pm
Best governor of my lifetime. And it’s not close.
Comment by hisgirlfriday Wednesday, Feb 21, 24 @ 1:29 pm
Based on the very first comment in this post, Doom Grifters is already a self-fulling prophecy.
Comment by Baloneymous Wednesday, Feb 21, 24 @ 1:32 pm
Doom Grifter reminds me of that Squeezy thing of Pat Quinn.
Comment by Louis G Atsaves Wednesday, Feb 21, 24 @ 1:38 pm
Since we are so flush with cash, give the Teamsters a decent contract.
Comment by Huh? Wednesday, Feb 21, 24 @ 1:51 pm
The Doom Grifters are the opening act for the Spelunkers of Misery.
Comment by JoanP Wednesday, Feb 21, 24 @ 1:53 pm
Is IPI going to change their name to doom grifters? The republican’ts need a rebadging too.
Comment by Huh? Wednesday, Feb 21, 24 @ 1:56 pm
“Doom Grifter” is excellent. He need to copyright that.
Jim Thompson was a very good governor, so was Jim Edgar even with some of their legacy mistakes, but JB is at the top of the list these days.
=Doom Grifter reminds me of that Squeezy thing of Pat Quinn.=
You do realize that among JB’s list of accomplishments was a lengthy list of things that had to be undone or fixed as a result of your favorite governor, right?
Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, Feb 21, 24 @ 2:09 pm
Doom Grifter.
He has created a catch phrase. Nice work.
Comment by Save Ferris Wednesday, Feb 21, 24 @ 2:12 pm
The “Doom Grifters” design looks way too cool for the doom pushers. It should capture what it represents, right wing front groups gorging on billionaire donor money while fake crying about how terrible Illinois is, and media pushing debunked narratives. Royko did a good one with the Chicago motto (ubi est mea).
Comment by Grandson of Man Wednesday, Feb 21, 24 @ 2:18 pm
“Doom Grifters” is a perfect beer name.
Hop to it, Illinois craft brewers (banned punctuation)
.
.
.
I’ll show myself out now.
Comment by Northsider Wednesday, Feb 21, 24 @ 2:40 pm
You just designed IPI’s newest t-shirts…
Comment by NIU Grad Wednesday, Feb 21, 24 @ 2:41 pm
Love the phrase Doom Grifters and will definitely buy a t-shirt with that graphic.
Comment by Friendly Bob Adams Wednesday, Feb 21, 24 @ 2:45 pm
I believe Spelunkers of Misery is opening for Doom Grifters next month and the Aragon Ballroom
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Wednesday, Feb 21, 24 @ 2:48 pm
@Michelle
I can no longer see the word “spelunker” without thinking of a very obscene line from “South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut.”
Did I say obscene? I meant funny. Very funny.
Comment by Save Ferris Wednesday, Feb 21, 24 @ 3:05 pm
I think Doom Grifter would also be an appropriate nickname for Jerry Reinsdorf. Trying to grift the state into funding a new Sox stadium while dooming the team’s chances of success.
Comment by Stuck in Celliniland Wednesday, Feb 21, 24 @ 3:08 pm
Doom Grifter should be the next release from a microbrewer. Will it be a pale ale or a barrel-aged something?
Comment by Pot calling kettle Wednesday, Feb 21, 24 @ 3:09 pm
To the graphic: Illinois went on quite the diet. I wish I could lose the pudge in my midsection that quickly.
Comment by ChrisB Wednesday, Feb 21, 24 @ 3:17 pm
I hear you Chris B. When I lift my arms up over my head, my Quincy shows.
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Feb 21, 24 @ 3:34 pm
Just saying a Doom Grifter t-shirt would be a great Lutheran Family Services fundraiser
Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Feb 21, 24 @ 3:36 pm
I like it but make it make sense. grifters steal. doom grifters?
Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Feb 21, 24 @ 3:36 pm
State of the State University Retirement System Community College Dental Insurance: STILL BACKLOGGED. My dentist was just paid last week for my dental bill from September 2022. A 17-month turnaround. Someone forgot to put the state matching funds into the budget. Governor, please look into and correct this situation as soon as possible. Thank-you.
Comment by DuPage Wednesday, Feb 21, 24 @ 3:59 pm
- Governor, please look into and correct this situation as soon as possible. Thank-you. -
…and while you’re at it, Governor Pritzker, could you find it in your heart to grant State clemency to all (non-violent) incarcerated victims of The War on Cannabis?…Thank you.
Comment by Dotnonymous x Wednesday, Feb 21, 24 @ 4:59 pm
==State of the State University Retirement System Community College Dental Insurance: STILL BACKLOGGED==
The CIP was seriously underfunded. The budget does include a significant (19%) increase over FY24 and 86% over FY23 (which also included a much-needed additional contribution). I’m not sure it is where it needs to be, but it is much better than it was. I imagine the backlog of bills will take a while to pay down.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Wednesday, Feb 21, 24 @ 9:12 pm
===Do not let the doom grifters steal your optimism about what’s ahead for Illinois. Our future is bright, and opportunity lies ahead.===
I hope the Governor is capable of recognizing the difference between a “doom grifter” and someone who is pointing out serious public policy problems that remain as yet unaddressed.
Comment by Candy Dogood Wednesday, Feb 21, 24 @ 9:43 pm
Candy–
A Doom Grifter is someone saying Illinois is going into the abyss and then tries to make money off it. Someone pointing out our state’s problems is not even close to that. Surprised you cannot clearly differentiate between the two and had to take a shot at JB for what was supposed to be a funny post.
Comment by Baloneymous Thursday, Feb 22, 24 @ 7:56 am