Business advocate visits Joliet to bring message to politicians

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Illinois Chamber of Commerce President Doug Whitley talks about the state's business climate during press conference Monday, Feb 20, 2012 at the Aurora Chamber of Commerce in downtown Aurora. | Steven Buyansky~Sun-Times Media

Updated: March 22, 2012 8:07AM

JOLIET — A robust economic recovery in Illinois requires healthy businesses, and legislators need to get serious about fixing the problems holding the private sector back, officials said Monday.

Douglas Whitley, president and CEO of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, met with county business leaders Monday morning in the shop of Johansen and Anderson, a heating and cooling company on Plainfield Road. It was one stop on a state tour to promote the chamber’s 2012 Jobs Agenda before Gov. Pat Quinn’s planned budget address this week.

“We have a hard time competing,” said Rick Cronholm, president of Johansen and Anderson. He cited a company from Indiana, where workers’ compensation costs are lower, that presents stiff competition, especially in projects that are bid.

Illinois businesses have felt ignored and neglected by state government, Whitley said, as the private-sector economy is not generally thought of as a primary constituent.

“I believe Gov. Quinn has been responsive. I think he understands there’s a problem,” Whitley said. “We just have to go a long way. We need to show employers we’re on a new path.”

The Illinois Chamber of Commerce is a private nonprofit organization comprised of businesses and organizations throughout the state.

Those attending Whitley’s event included Russ Slinkard, president and CEO of the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce; John Greuling, president and CEO of the Will County Center for Economic Development; and David Hinderliter, president and CEO of the Kankakee Regional Chamber of Commerce.

“I don’t have to tell you that, as far as this state goes, we have to make some changes,” Slinkard said.

Earlier this month, Douglas Oberhelman, chairman and CEO of Caterpillar Inc., announced the company would not relocate a factory to Illinois, citing the state’s budget deficit as one factor in the decision.

Oberhelman has spoken out about the need to reform the state’s anti-business reputation, Whitley said, and other business owners should follow his lead.

Elected officials need to be more aggressive in fixing the state’s finances and issues with the cost of doing business in Illinois, he said.

“Most people who run for office don’t run to say no,” Whitley said. “They want to do good things for people. They want to spend. They no longer have that luxury.”

After the governor’s budget address, the chamber plans to send copies of its talking points to every candidate for the Legislature.

Those points include reducing the cost of doing business, committing to fiscal responsibility, improving workforce readiness and investing in infrastructure.

Elected officials need to exercise restraint, even if it upsets some constituents, he said.

“It’s a difficult era, but sometimes we are caught in the times and sometimes it’s not what we wish to do,” Whitley said.