HR0670 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0670 LRB093 16675 MKM 42326 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Economic development is a major function of state and local governments nationwide; and

WHEREAS, Job growth and quality of life enhancements are two major objectives of state and local economic development policy; and

WHEREAS, Given the economic and demographic diversity of Illinois, economic development policy may best be crafted at the local and regional levels where local government, labor, and business leaders are most aware of the economic strengths and weaknesses of their own communities and counties; and

WHEREAS, Many Illinois communities and regions depend upon the economic development expertise and capacity of the State for their own business and workforce development needs; and

WHEREAS, When developing statewide economic development policy and objectives, the State should contact local and regional economic leaders to ascertain the business and workforce development needs and objectives of Illinois communities and counties; and

WHEREAS, In conjunction with a renewed initiative to assist the diverse regions and communities in Illinois with economic development strategic planning, the State is entering an opportune time to systematically maintain contact with local and regional economic leaders in order to gauge their workforce and business development concerns and the effectiveness of State policy in support of local economic development policy; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we encourage the Governor and the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to develop a program of systematic contact with local and regional economic development stakeholders and policy makers with the purpose of gauging the effectiveness of State business and workforce development policy at the local and regional levels and with the purpose of crafting new development policies and objectives that best meet the needs and strategies of local and regional economic leaders; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity report to the chairmen and spokespersons of the House Commerce and Business Development Committee and the House Labor Committee concerning (i) the Department's current efforts to make systematic contact with local and regional economic stakeholders and policy makers concerning economic development and (ii) the scope of those efforts; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be presented to the Director of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.