Ill. House forms task force on job creation

SPRINGFIELD -- The Illinois House is forming a task force to concentrate on creating jobs in Illinois.

Democratic Rep. Lou Lang of Skokie will chair the panel which will aim at the state's 10.9 percent unemployment rate.

Lang says 30 lawmakers have signed up for the committee. It will travel to key labor markets in the state beginning in January for hearings on employment-friendly measures.

Lang mentioned as one idea reforming the state's permitting process which can hold up building and factory openings for months.

The committee will look for improvements the General Assembly can make in its spring session to improve the employment picture.