Dear Illinois Citizen - A Letter from Governor Blagojevich

Dear Illinois Citizen,

As Governor, I have traveled to every part of this state, talking to people about the expectations and challenges that they and their families tackle. Now in my second term in office, I can say that I have addressed some of those issues.

During my tenure, Illinois has led the Midwest in job creation. The minimum wage has been raised twice. New jobs have been created—95,000 in total—and unemployment rates are some of the lowest in the country. Open Road Tolling, now a reality, makes it easier for people to get to their jobs each day.

My fight for increased access to healthcare continues. So does my commitment to new investments in education and economic relief for all. More than 700,000 uninsured people now have health coverage. All Kids expansion covered 368,000 more children. Last year education funding increased by almost $3.8 billion, and this year funding increased again. Illinois leads the nation in education for 3- and 4-year-olds. And we are the only state in the nation where senior citizens ride buses for free.

In these tough economic times, I am working to help Illinois families. Illinois is the first state in the nation to create a fund that allows families to keep their homes. And this is the third year in a row that our state has set export growth records—up 16 percent from last year.

With the General Assembly’s help, we can all work together to strengthen our economy by investing in the infrastructure, which creates more jobs; by giving families an increase in child tax credits; by cutting taxes on midsized businesses; and by passing a Capital bill to build schools and repair Illinois bridges and roads.

I need your support to ensure more opportunities for every Illinoisan. With your help I will continue to fight to make Illinois a better place to live and work.

Sincerely,

Governor Rod Blagojevich