West Central Reporter

State Rep. Randy Frese (R-Quincy) thinks lawmakers in Springfield need to reconsider how they treat Illinois businesses.

“Illinois does that to businesses all the time,” Frese told the West Central Reporter days after Marquis Energy announced it was pulling the plug on a plan to build a $500-million, 800-acre ethanol plant near Bluffs by 2020 at least partly due to Senate Bill 1407. “That’s one reason why the state lags so far behind neighboring states in economic growth and job growth.”

In formally declaring its intention to scrap expansion plans in Illinois, Marquis, which already operates plants here and in Wisconsin that produce more than 500 million gallons of ethanol each year, directly cited SB 1407 as a critical factor.

Rep. Randy Frese

“Illinois government’s anti-business and high tax policies will require us to pursue company expansions in surrounding states,” CEO Mark Marquis said in a statement. “State Bill 1407 is an example of legislation that will negatively impact our company’s expansion plans — removing our company’s choice in construction contractors we hire and the agreed upon price between the two parties, reducing competition and inflating costs,”

When all is said and done, Frese said he sees just one solution to a growing problem.

“What we need is to change the makeup and body of both the House and Senate in Springfield,” he said. “Too many people are not with the way we treat business owners in this state. We need term limits and we need a turnover toward individuals that will come in and represent the State of Illinois in a more business-friendly manner.”