Sandack: Gov. Quinn 'Missed the Mark' in State of the State Address

State Representative Ron Sandack (R-Downers Grove) was dissatisfied with Governor Pat Quinn's State of the State address Jan. 29, calling it "just one more chapter from a Democrat playbook that is not working. 

"His ‘solutions’ continue to rely upon tried-and-failed policies," Sandack said in a release. "Meanwhile the debt continues to grow and a balanced budget gets further and further from reach."

In his speech, Quinn focused on early education—discussing college grants, small business fees, pensions, promoting a new Biotech Center, upgrading water systems and how he has "worked to rebuild Illinois." 

Quinn also aims to double the number of award programs for college students, with hopes of getting degrees or college certificates in the hands of 60 percent of the Illinois adult workforce by 2025. 

Quinn also announced a $1 billion extension of the water loan program, which started in 2012. It was designed to upgrade the old systems; Illinois currently has one of the largest backlogs of drinking water repairs in the country. This program will create roughly 28,000 jobs in Illinois.

Sandack said the Governor's plans don't address key issues in the state. 

Quinn told constituents Wednesday that he will create a new position in his office focused on supporting small business. Quinn called for legislation to reduce the $500 filing fee for creation of a limited liability company, to $39—making Illinois' fee to the lowest in the nation. 

Still, Sandack said, Quinn's speech and plans fall short.