Pantagraph.com Weather forecast, local radar and more
NewsMonday, July 14, 2008 9:23 AM CDT
Comments Comments (0) | E-mail this page E-mail this page | Print this page Print this page | Enlarge type Enlarge type | Reduce type Reduce type | Search archives Search archives | RSS RSS feeds | Add to My Yahoo! Add to My Yahoo!
Report: Moving 100 Illinois workers south helps area
By Mike Riopell
mike.riopell@lee.net
Advertisement

SPRINGFIELD -- A report suggests moving state transportation workers from Springfield to southern Illinois could create a $15 million bump in the local economy there, but not without damaging the capital city.

Gov. Rod Blagojevich wants more than 100 Springfield Illinois Department of Transportation workers transferred to an office in Harrisburg.

The controversial move required Blagojevich to file a report to the state showing what the decision’s impact would be.

The report suggests that nearly 130 jobs would be created in southern Illinois, in addition to the state jobs transferred there.

“That’s huge for a community like where I live,” said state Rep. Brandon Phelps, a Harrisburg Democrat. “As a lawmaker, that’s what you dream about.”

The report also predicts a loss of 63 Springfield jobs in addition to the transferred workers and almost $9 million out of the state capital’s economy.

Opponents of the move, though, questioned the accuracy of those predictions.

“The numbers cited in this report are just one economist’s view of jobs in these areas,” said Anders Lindall, spokesman for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union.

State Sen. Larry Bomke, R-Springfield, said he didn’t think the report’s numbers added up.

“It doesn’t make sense at all,” he said. “I think they’ve underestimated the impact to the Springfield area.”

The report was filed with the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability. That group plans to hold a hearing on the potential move set for July 31 in Springfield.

State Sen. Bill Brady, a Bloomington Republican and frequent critic of the governor, called the proposed move “raw politics.”

Brady sits on the commission holding the hearing. He said he wasn’t sure Blagojevich would accept the group’s advice if they decide the governor shouldn’t move the jobs.

“If you base it on his past actions, there’s no chance,” Brady said.

Video
Most commented stories
Browse online archives
Recent issues:
Reader comments on this story - 0 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.
Add your own comments

Please read the rules before posting comments.

You must be logged in to leave comments.
If you don't have a member ID, please register.

*Member ID:
*Password:
Remember login?
(requires cookies)
  Forgot Your Password?
 
Lee Enterprises Customer Service | 301 W. Washington St., PO Box 2907, Bloomington, IL 61701-2907 | Ph. 309-829-9000 | 800-747-7323
Copyright © 2008, Pantagraph Publishing Co. and Lee Enterprises. All rights reserved. | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy