CHICAGO - Today, Congressman Adam Kinzinger (IL-11) along with his four Illinois freshmen colleagues - Congressmen Randy Hultgren, Bob Dold, Bobby Schilling & Joe Walsh - launched an initiative in the President's home state, asking small business owners to tell them what Washington can do to help their business create one more job.

"Here in Illinois unemployment is above 10 percent," Kinzinger began."We constantly hear about a company that is looking to leave or is already on its way out the door - including the Sears Holding Corporation and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.  And what are some of the reasons for business leaving? Taxes are too high and regulations are too burdensome. 

"Since coming to Congress in January, my freshmen colleagues and and I from Illinois have taken a direct approach to change the 'Washington knows best' agenda, to talking to those who actually do know best about what it will take to get Americans back to work and our economy moving: small business owners.

"I’m not a small business owner. So if I went to Washington, D.C. and acted like an expert in small business but never talked to small business owners, then I would be disingenuous.  In order for me to know how to advocate for exactly what needs to be done, I need to hear from them.  Today we are here to offer a new approach - one that a fellow freshman colleague began in Colorado - we are asking small businesses to tell us what Washington must do to empower their business to create one more job."

"Clearly this Administration's economic policies have failed and we need an immediate change in direction," said Congressman Randy Hultgren (IL-14)."That's why the One More Job Initiative is so important. We are going to reach out to our small businesses, find out exactly what they need to create one single job, and take those responses back to the White House and the leadership in the Senate to show them exactly what they can do to enable the private sector to create thousands of new jobs right here in Illinois."

"Parts of Illinois' 10th District are facing an unemployment rate of over 20 percent," said Congressman Bob Dold (IL-11)."There is no reason that Congress cannot come together and find ways to create an environment in which small businesses can thrive and grow.  As I have said for the last two years, if half of the small business in the nation were able to hire one more worker we’d be able to get our nation back to work.  It’s time for both sides of the aisle to work together and find common ground."

"As I have traveled throughout the 17th District, the number one issue folks want addressed is jobs," said Congressman Bobby Schilling (IL-17).  "I know from my experience as a small business owner the challenges of creating jobs and meeting a payroll in the face of overwhelming government regulations and paperwork.  But as a member of the House Small Business Committee and House Armed Services Committee Panel on Business Challenges in the Defense Industry, I want to hear from other job creators what government can do to encourage them to hire.  I look forward to seeing their suggestions, bringing them with me to Washington, and using them to help get our economy back on track and Americans back to work."

"As Chairman of the Small Business Committee’s Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Tax, and Capital Access, I know firsthand that we need to get big government out of the way and let small businesses grow and create jobs," said Congressman Joe Walsh (IL-8).  "The Obama Administration needs to get out of the beltway and start talking to real American small businesses and entrepreneurs, not just Washington insiders."

On Monday, December 12th the five freshmen Congressmen will seek out ideas from small business owners in each of their districts via mail, email, phone and other means.  Business owners will be asked to take a moment and send their Congressman an email or letter to let them know what action Washington must take in order for their business to be able to create one more job. 

Small business owners in the 11th District can send Congressman Kinzinger an email at IllinoisJobs11@mail.house.gov or a letter to the Joliet Office (2701 Black Rd, Joliet, IL 60435) by January 6, 2012 and tell him what it will take for their business to create one more job.

Once all of the ideas and suggestions are collected, the Congressmen will take them directly to Senator Durbin, Senator Reid and the President. 

NOTE: The new House majority has been working to pass numerous pieces of legislation to tackle our debt head on, reform excessive regulations, and increase domestic energy production.  Unfortunately, more than 20 of these bipartisan bills are held up in the United States Senate.

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