Understanding Government

One of the few government direct job creation programs will soon come to an end. In mid-January, Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn, a Democrat, will stop funding “Put Illinois to Work” — a temporary jobs program first paid for by the stimulus bill and now paid for by Illinois, reports the Chicago Tribune’s Monique Garcia. Since federal money stopped in September, Quinn has put $122 million toward a program where the state pays businesses to hire employees for entry-level positions that usually pay around $10 an hour. Quinn says that come January, he will focus on new legislation to give business the incentive to hire instead of piggybacking on an expired federal program.

Christine Radogno, the GOP leader in the Illinois Senate, has led the criticisms of Put Illinois to Work. (more…)

In lieu of expiring federal stimulus funds, Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn will spend $75 million in state cash to continue “Put Illinois to Work.” (more…)

Pat Quinn

(Update: A House tax bill that included generating $11 billion in new revenue failed to pass Friday, dimming prospects that Congress will fund “Put Illinois to Work” and like state job creation programs beyond September.)

Illinois has the worst state budget in the nation, but it ranks no. 1 for something less dubious: participation in a national jobs creation program subsidized by $5 billion in stimulus money. The U.S. Congress may determine whether Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn  was smart to dive head first (more…)

People in Illinois really, really need jobs.

“Put Illinois to Work,” a federally funded program to provide temporary, entry-level jobs in the state received 60,000 applicants for about 20,000 positions. Don Dodson of the Champaign News-Gazette reports that the state’s Department of Human Services has, consequently, stopped accepting applications after just two months. The program uses $215 million from the federal stimulus bill to temporarily provide more money to some welfare programs. (more…)