Statement from Governor Pat Quinn on Passage of Economic Development Bill

SPRINGFIELD - Governor Pat Quinn released the following statement on the passage of House Bill 1544, which creates the Illinois Business Development Council and provides an agreed-upon structure for the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to produce a state economic development plan every five years, starting July 1, 2014.

"We are strengthening the partnership between government and the private sector to spotlight what makes Illinois one of the best places to do business, and creating more jobs for the people of Illinois.

"This legislation builds on our ongoing efforts to work with private sector leaders to aggressively market and promote Illinois to businesses around the world.

"I want to thank Senator Andy Manar for his work and all the members of the Illinois General Assembly who voted for this bill."