Rock Island Today

Rep. Brian Stewart (R-Freeport) recently celebrated signs of improvement in the national economy and urged Illinois to let small businesses guide their own destinies.

“Are you ready for some positive news?” Stewart said on his website. “The American economy is surging forward thanks to recent economic growth. In fact, the jobless rate is the lowest it has been since 2007. The national unemployment rate is currently 4.4 percent – which is even better than the 4.6 percent number that economists had predicted.”

Stewart attributed the upswing to the tax plan promoted by President Donald Trump. He said Illinois can right its own economic ship at least in part by changing the way it deals with small businesses.

“As a legislator who represents a district with thousands of small businesses – and as a small business owner myself – I know what small business owners want most from the state,” Stewart said. “They want to be left alone! Small business owners want – and need – to be able to make the best decision for their company. When the government comes knocking with yet another good idea, most of us aren’t all too pleased.  As Ronald Reagan said, “The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: ‘I’m from the government and I’m here to help.'"