Quinn Plans to Extend Put Illinois to Work

By aaroncynic in News on Sep 29, 2010 4:30PM

Governor Quinn will extend the Put Illinois to Work for up to two more months. The program, which has managed to put 26,000 people to work at more than 5,000 public and private sector employers, is set to expire September 30th. Governor Quinn plans to spend $75 million to keep the program running until Congress votes on an extension of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Emergency Contingency Fund.

Quinn said via press release, “The best way to make our economy stronger is to put people to work - that is why we are temporarily continuing this successful program until Congress acts to extend the program. It is good for families, small business owners and communities.” Gubernatorial rival Bill Brady questioned the governor’s plan, saying, “I'm not sure where the money is going to come from. It appears it's a lick and a promise again.”

While Brady has a point - it’s hard to justify spending $75 million when our state is in the red for $13 billion, letting PIW expire to save a few bucks (comparatively) could do more harm than good. With poverty in Illinois on the rise and the unemployment rate barely dipping, it’s hard to see how putting 26,000 workers out of a job will help the state’s economy.