Gov. Bruce Rauner and central Illinois contractors have some ideas about why Illinois has the highest unemployment rate in the country.
Illinois lost 1,400 construction jobs in April. During a roundtable discussion in Peoria, contractor Sammy Hobson said the lack of a state budget impacts his hiring decisions.
Gov. Rauner said the state’s stagnant economy directly impacts the budget.
Contractor Bill Joseph said out-of-state businesses that compare the property taxes and construction costs of central Illinois to larger populated areas in other states are deciding not to relocate to Illinois.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists Illinois and Alaska as tied for the highest unemployment rate in the country at 6.6 percent.