State Senator Martin Sandoval (D-Chicago) reacted to the State of the State address by bringing attention to the state’s high unemployment rate. Illinois has an unemployment rate of 8.6 percent, however Sandoval states this number is still too high.

“Illinois’ efforts to lower unemployment are insufficient. I propose a three-point plan. One: another major investment in our public infrastructure. Two: modernize our byzantine job training programs under one consolidated agency. Three: commit additional state funds to moving people from getting an unemployment check to a paycheck,” Senator Sandoval said.

The Senator is co-sponsoring Senate Bill 68 with Senator Kim Lightford to convert Illinois’ minimum wage into a living wage of $10/hour by 2016. Sandoval believes that people who are working a 40-hour workweek should be able to provide food, shelter and child care for their family and $8.25 an hour simply isn’t enough.

Sandoval also argues the state’s economic development policy needs to get back to the basics of training Illinois residents to fill jobs rather than sending large tax breaks to a few large companies.

“I agree with Speaker Madigan that we need to stop giving special tax breaks to corporations who continue to look to the General Assembly for handouts. Instead, we need to focus on the mom and pop small businesses that are the backbone of the Illinois economy,” Senator Sandoval said.