Watch CBS News

Illinois Department Of Commerce Releases Five-Year Economic Development Plan

(CBS) -- While critics are attacking Governor Pat Quinn's budget plans, his economic development team is out with a five-year plan for boosting Illinois' economy, reports WBBM Political Editor Craig Dellimore.

Adam Pollet, director of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity says the state's new business development plan builds on Illinois' strengths as a hub for commerce and it plots which parts of the state are poised to grow in different ways.

Illinois Commerce Department Releases Five-Year Economic Development Plan

"This is really a first for Illinois thinking about which industries where we are going to have opportunities for growth. I want to be really clear, that doesn't mean that they initiatives that we are proposing aren't broad-based and helpful for everyone," said Pollet.

For example, the plan suggests transportation and logistics are doing best in northern and southern Illinois respectively and local areas may compete for resources to boost development similar to the race to the top program in education funding.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.