(The Center Square) – Illinois ranks near the bottom in a new report on states with pro-growth labor policies, according to a new report.
The American Legislative Exchange Council has released a new publication called “States That Work: A Labor Policy Roadmap Across America.” The report ranks all 50 states on their adoption of pro-worker, pro-growth labor reforms and highlights where workers enjoy the most economic freedom and where mandates still hold them back.
From Right-to-Work protections and occupational licensing reforms to laws that defend rights of public employees to not be forced into a union and promote transparency in public sector bargaining, the report identifies where lawmakers are clearing the path for upward mobility in the job market.
Illinois ranked 42nd overall in the report, scoring near the bottom for average 10-year private sector employment growth.
“Overall, they really didn’t have many private sector worker protections, it’s not a Right-to-Work state, and don’t have some of the same protections as some of the other states,” said Alan Jernigan, manager of the ALEC Commerce, Insurance and Economic Development Task Force.
Illinois’ neighbors all ranked higher in the study, including Iowa at No. 15, Indiana at No. 21, and Wisconsin at No. 22.
The top 5 states in the labor policy ranking are Arizona, Utah, Georgia, Arkansas and Florida. The bottom 5 are Alaska at number 50, followed by Massachusetts, Oregon, New York and Connecticut.
“While Arizona and Utah are embracing reforms that empower workers and attract businesses, states like New York and Massachusetts are doubling down on outdated mandates that drive prosperity away,” said ALEC CEO Lisa Nelson. “This is more than a ranking, it’s a wake-up call for lawmakers who want their state to thrive in today’s economy.”
ALEC bills itself as “America’s largest nonpartisan, voluntary membership organization of state legislators dedicated to the principles of limited government, free markets and federalism.”
