McHenry Times

State Rep. Dan Ugaste, R-Geneva, is joining the charge by GOP legislators to push for business reforms intended to keep companies in Illinois.

In a March 16 video posted on his website, Ugaste joined colleagues State Rep. Joe Sosnowski, R-Rockford” and House Assistant Minority Leader John Cabello, R-Machesney Park, to push for the changes amid a wave of businesses making the move out of Illinois.

“Illinois has incredible natural strengths and resources we have built over time that makes our state exceptional for job creators,” Ugaste said in the video posted on his website. “Yet we are losing jobs, not overseas, but right next door in other states. Instead of allocating one-time funds to incentivize businesses to come to Illinois, we should be cultivating a beneficial environment for job creators and families that promotes growth.”

According to the website, Ugaste was picked earlier this year by House Republican Leader tony McCombie, R-Savanna, to head up the Reigniting Illinois’ Strong Economy (RISE) panel, charged with improving the business climate in the state while ensuring workers were protected and tapping the state’s tools to retain and attract businesses and opportunities.

Moreover, Ugaste has introduced several pieces of legislation, including measures that target workers compensation reform, to help lawmakers make these goals reality, according to his website.

Ugaste noted that only California and New York have more interstate highways than Illinois, which should help create opportunities in the state, and airports across the state.

“We should be able to use these strengths to attract business which are job creators and have opportunity here at home,” he said. “Instead, we are losing out.”

Ugaste, according to his website, serves as the GOP spokesman for the Financial Institutions & Licensing, Judiciary – Civil, and Labor & Commerce Committees.

As spokesperson for the panel, his proposals have zeroed in on workers compensation reform in an effort to meet GOP goals.