Closer Look: Quinn job stats mixed under scrutiny

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — Gov. Pat Quinn has made jobs a regular feature of his recent speeches.

That's understandable with unemployment stubbornly high and the economy still limping from the recession.

Some of Quinn's claims in the recent State of State and budget speeches stand up to scrutiny. But some don't.

Quinn spokeswoman Brooke Anderson says many of the governor's claims are based on economic multiplier formulas that try to predict how spending translates into jobs.

University of Illinois economist Fred Giertz (GERTZ) says those multipliers are often suspect. But Giertz says Quinn is just making the kinds of claims politicians make.

And Quinn was actually modest in touting the effect of workers compensation reform. An insurance industry group says it's saved businesses hundreds of millions of dollars.