Press & News

Gerry Skoning Published in Crain’s Chicago Business
11/28/2007

Gerry Skoning Published in Crain’s Chicago Business
“Illinois Needs Bigger Slice of Defense Department’s Pie”

Gerry Skoning’s article, “Illinois Needs Bigger Slice of Defense Department’s Pie,” was published in the November 19 issue of Crain’s Chicago Business.

In his Op-Ed, Gerry notes, “The United States is undergoing one of the largest military buildups in history, with expenditures rising to $492 billion last year for defense and homeland security, from $333 billion in 2001.” Since September 2001, Gerry points out that “in terms of defense spending, Illinois is getting mere table scraps compared with other states.” He notes that, “Congress should act immediately to pass the fiscal 2008 Defense Authorization Act, which includes funding for the [U. S. Air Force’s] new KC-X tanker, so the aging fleet of the KC-135s can be retired.” He concludes that “funding the KC-X represents a huge economic opportunity for Illinois,” and that the state’s congressional delegation should “heed the call to action and land this major economic opportunity.”