Metro East Sun

Dwight Kay says Illinois lawmakers spend much of their time sending a clear and unfriendly message to small business owners.

“I’m a businessman and I can tell you Illinois has not been a friendly environment for any size company over the last 20 years,” Kay told the Metro East Sun. “The last five (years) have been particularly tough. Big business can weather the storm, but small business owners cannot. For lawmakers to ignore that fact is a message to them to go elsewhere, because you are not valued here.”

Kay made his feelings known in recognition of National Small Business Appreciation Week this month.

He said that his hope is that Illinois lawmakers will come to value that sector of the state’s economy in the same way so many of its neighboring states have long ago come to do so.

“We should look at the states around us and what they are doing to help their businesses survive,” Kay, a Glen Carbon Republican who is running against Rep. Katie Stuart (D-Edwardsville) in the 112th District, said. “We don’t encourage small business owners to remain in this state.”

Kay thinks a few changes in the direction of government can go a long way.

“Workers’ compensation reform is nonexistent, just look at where we as a state rank across the country in payouts to people injured on the job,” he said. “Then there has been no tort reform and the fact Illinois ranks 49th in the country out of 50 states in lawsuit abuse.”

Kay added the state’s flood of regulatory requirements make it even tougher for small business owners to deal with all the costs that go hand and hand with all the heightened rules.

“Part of what needs to happen in Springfield is for us to make sure we have balanced budgets every year,” he said. “I would suggest a balanced budget amendment that allows small business owners to be assured of no new taxes, penalties or fees down the road as they try to make their way.”

The 112th Districts includes parts of Madison and St. Clair counties.