Local lawmakers say they're pleased with what they heard from Governor Bruce Rauner in his State of the State Address.
State Senator Paul Schimpf (R-Waterloo) says he's glad to see Governor Rauner focusing on rebuilding the state's economy.
"We have to make Illinois a state that the job creators want to come to, or want to stay in. So the Governor is absolutely right to focus on job creation and competitiveness."
Schimpf says economic development is his top priority, and he remains hopeful more jobs can come to southern Illinois.
Representative Jerry Costello II (D-Smithton) says he agrees economic development is key.
“My top priority is to pass a budget that supports our hard-working families in Southern Illinois and helps our businesses grow,” Costello said. “I will work hard with my colleagues across the aisle to pass a budget that protects worker’s wages and benefits and also improves the business climate in Illinois – we can do both.”
Meanwhile State Senator Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) says he was also glad to hear the economy play a big role in the speech. He says he's also heartened by work in the senate toward a budget compromise.
"The atmosphere in the Senate chamber is incredible. We're all working together, we're working long, hard hours to try to compromise and come to common ground."
Fowler, who served as mayor of Harrisburg before winning election in November, says a stable budget picture will help lift the economy, and he's pleased with what he heard in Springfield.
