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Moral bankruptcy is costing our state

Moral turpitude counts, and Illinois government has failed the test again. Most people are not aware that Illinois just lost a $1.4 billion construction project to build a major plant to convert natural gas to fertilizer and the hundreds of jobs it will bring to our neighbor, Iowa. The governor, Mr. Madigan and Mr. Cullerton offered a better incentive package than Iowa did. The billionaire owner of the company admitted he had a real affinity for Illinois, but he turned Illinois down and will build the plant just four miles across the border in Iowa, because, “Whatever (Illinois) tax regime exists today we have to take with a grain of salt. The unfunded pension liabilities of the state of Illinois were a big concern to us, let alone the hypothetical situations that exist in doing business in Illinois and Chicago.”

So now we see the real cost of having the entrenched, corrupt political system that has evolved here in Illinois. Businesses continue to vote with their feet and leave the state. Badly needed prospective businesses pass the state by, all because we have a government known for its corruption and unwillingness to do anything about its profligate past. They know the incentives of today are lures to get them in the position where their pockets can be picked in the future.

The statement this business made is clear — we will not risk our investors’ capital and our company’s reputation with people who have proved to have no moral turpitude and can’t be trusted. Think about this indictment when you step into the voting booth in November and in 2014 when you elect a governor. You are the only ones who can change things. Your vote counts. Cast it carefully.

Robert Williams

Rolling Meadows

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