Rauner is the state's biggest hope

For those who may be "on the fence" regarding our next governor, please consider the following:

1. Chief Executive Magazine ranked Illinois 48th regarding business friendliness. Consequently, companies and jobs are leaving.

2. According to a recent survey, half of Illinois residents would leave the state if they could.

3. Illinois has the worst credit/bond rating of any state, driving up interest rates and costing the taxpayer.

4. Illinois' worker compensation costs are fourth-highest in the country, driving jobs to more cost effective states.

5. Thirty-seven states have lower unemployment rates with fewer Illinoisans working today than when Gov. Pat Quinn took office.

6. Our pension deficit is the worst in the nation, currently at $100 billion and growing.

7. Food stamp enrollment has outpaced job creation during Quinn's tenure by a 2 to 1 margin.

8. Quinn insisted that the 67 percent income tax increase was temporary. Now he wants to make it permanent, thereby killing more jobs.

9. Illinois has an unsustainable, past due unpaid bill balance of roughly $6 billion and growing per the 2015 state budget.

10. We are one of only 11 states having more "takers" than "makers."

CSPAN recently broadcast an Arizona gubernatorial debate. There was discussion about attracting businesses from Illinois and California. There was no debate that this strategy was correct, the debate centered on the best way to accomplish it. One candidate referred to Arizona as, "the next Northwest suburbs of Chicago."

Given the above, it is hard to imagine anyone supporting the failed policies of the Quinn administration.

Now is time for change if we are to have any chance of getting our state back on track. While Bruce Rauner cannot accomplish miracles overnight, he is our only hope.

Paul Wickland

Arlington Heights