The nation's fifth most populous state does have a relatively high unemployment rate at 9.6%, but public infrastructure projects have helped reduce it from a much higher 11% a year earlier.
In 2009, the state passed a $31 billion state bond measure to finance public works projects including improvements to O'Hare International Airport. According to a study by Southern Illinois University the spending will create 535,000 new full-time jobs over six years and more than $2.9 billion in state and local tax revenues.
As for recovery of construction jobs in Illinois, much of this will depend upon continued government investments in infrastructure projects. Doug Whitley, CEO of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, says he expects to see a continuation of these dollars flowing to state and local projects this year.
An innovative bright spot in Illinois lies in their planned "green" projects such as the University of Illinois' proposal to build up to three 400-foot wind turbines.
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