January 12, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Gail Philbin 616-558-6490

Goldman Presents Job Creation Plan at Bipartisan Job Creation Taskforce

Incumbent Annazette Collins is a No-Show

Chicago, Ill. – In Springfield today, Jonathan Goldman, a Democratic candidate for state representative in the 10th District, submitted his plan to create more Illinois jobs by building a green economy, a well-prepared workforce and fiscal responsibility to the Bipartisan Job Creation Taskforce of the Illinois House of Representatives.

Annazette Collins, the nine-year incumbent of the 10th District, didn’t show up at the meeting organized by State Representative Lou Lang, which was attended by about 40 legislators and members of the general public.

“This is the most important issue facing our state right now, yet the 10th District’s state representative didn’t feel the need to be involved,” said Goldman, a long-time public interest advocate running for office for the first time.  “I’m glad I was there to go to bat for voters with a plan that will move Illinois’ economy in the right direction.”

Goldman is endorsed by State Representative John Fritchey (32nd Ward Democrats), Alderman Roberto Maldonado (26th Ward Democrats) and Committeeman Michele Smith (43rd Ward Democrats). He has also been endorsed by the Sierra Club and earned an ‘A’ rating from Illinois Citizens for Handgun Control.

Jonathan and State Representative LaShawn Ford discuss a proposal to create jobs by building a new high school and green jobs training center on the former Brachs Candy site, at 401 N. Cicero.

“My approach to job creations is common sense and emphasizes support for businesses and training workers for the new economy while taking advantage of clean technology and other innovations that will serve as our economic engine in the coming decade,” said Goldman.  He will be issuing a companion policy piece on Illinois’ budget situation in the following week.

 “We need to ensure that the next generation of clean technology says ‘Made in Illinois,’ not ‘Made in China,’” Goldman said.

Goldman enumerated the steps he will take as state representative to create jobs in Illinois in a policy document made available to the media and the general public through his website (www.jonathanforillinois.com). The measures he supports include:

• Increase Support For Energy Efficiency and Local Renewable Energy Production -- Illinois should ensure that financing mechanisms are in place so that every cost-effective energy measure can be implemented. Available options including tax credits, eliminating sales taxes on efficiency and renewable products, and creating new revolving loan funds.

• Foster the Emerging Clean Technology/Clean Energy Industries –
• Illinois should appoint a Green Jobs Director in the governor’s office to convene a Green Jobs Cabinet and coordinate Illinois’ clean technology initiatives. 
• Create Clean Technology Zones: areas that can bring together green manufacturing with research, development and training. Two options in or near the 10th district are the former Brach’s Candy site and the Finkl Steel site.
• Enact a set of tax incentives to lure new businesses to locate in Illinois as has happened in other states.

• Ensure an Educated and Trained Workforce -- Illinois needs to reform public education with greater accountability and support those reforms through increased investment so we have a pool of skilled and educated labor available.

• Reform Unemployment and Workers’ Compensation -- The costs of unemployment and workers’ comp are two of the leading non-tax expenses mandated by government. Reducing these costs will increase the competitiveness of Illinois businesses.

• Restore Fiscal Sanity -- The budget crisis in Illinois is not only impacting state services but also the state’s business environment, and we need to provide clarity so that businesses aren’t scared away by the uncertainty and unknown.

Next week, Goldman will issue the specifics of his plan for restoring fiscal sanity to Illinois that will include steps to take to fix Illinois’ budget deficit and revamp the state’s tax policies. 

Since the early 1990s, Goldman has fought for environmental, education, public health and consumer issues, building a strong track record as one of the most successful public interest advocates at the Capitol. He most recently served for seven years as Executive Director of the Illinois Environmental Council, before starting Advocacy Incorporated, a public interest advocacy and consulting business serving non-profit organizations. 

During his IEC tenure, Goldman was named a “40 Under 40” Rising Star by Crain’s Chicago Business.  He earned the title for his leadership with Partners for Parks and Wildlife, a group of more than 130 environmental and outdoor recreation organizations that rescued two land preservation programs from the state’s budget chopping block.

Goldman’s other leadership roles have included Executive Director of the Lead Elimination Action Drive and positions with the Citizens Utility Board, the CityWide Coalition for School Reform and the Center for Neighborhood Technology.

Goldman also has a long history of community involvement in the Bucktown/Wicker Park area, where he has lived for nearly 20 years. He is in his fifth term as an elected Local School Council member, and he is currently the LSC Chair at Drummond Montessori Magnet School. He has also served on the board of the Bucktown Community Organization.

To download a PDF of the Jobs policy document, click here.

For more information about Jonathan Goldman’s campaign, call 888-633-2010 or visit www.JonathanForIllinois.com.

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