Letter: State policies discourage small businesses

It's no secret the cost of doing business in Illinois is high. Stacked costs - including taxes and regulatory fees - are making it increasingly difficult for companies of all sizes to operate here. I would know, having run my metal stamping company for many years.

But I'm worried about the continued pressure state regulators are putting on the private sector.

Springfield has seemingly done everything in its power in recent years to increase operating costs for the engine of our economy. While large companies get favorable subsidies, little guys like me get hit with forced increased wages, burdensome workers comp regulations, and other operating expenses.

Things have gotten so bad I decided to expand my operation to Texas rather than within Illinois because it was too expensive. And I'm not the only small business looking for friendlier business climates.

The high cost of doing business in Illinois is not only making it difficult for companies to operate here but also to compete with larger companies that get favorable handouts. I could create plenty of good, high-paying jobs if I got the same subsidies, and my operation is already here.

Without significant reforms, our state will continue to fall behind our neighbors and expedite the exodus of talent to coastal states and Midwestern ones like Michigan and Ohio.

The high cost of doing business in Illinois makes it increasingly difficult for small businesses to operate here. They struggle to keep up with stacked costs, from high taxes to high regulatory fees. This not only makes it difficult for businesses to compete but also to attract and retain customers. Lawmakers need to make Illinois more business-friendly so our state can simply compete on a regional level, let alone national.

Hopefully, lawmakers act fast before it's too late.

Wade Keats

Wheeling