Illinois State University economics professor David Loomis, who is also a consultant, says the plans could mean up to 47,312 jobs, with an economic impact of more than $9 billion.
Annette McMichael, of Southern Illinoisans against Fracturing Our Environment (SAFE), says the numbers are trumped up. She points to a recent story from Ohio saying Ohio Gov. John Kasich has become bearish on fracking, claiming many of the promised jobs being performed by non-Ohioans.
Tom Wolf, the state chamber’s executive director for energy, cautions against believing what anti-fracking groups say, adding the process would be strictly regulated, and nobody would frack without a permit.
http://ilchamber.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Illinois-Chamber-Foundation-New-Albany-Shale-Jobs-Study-low-res.pdf
www.dontfractureillinois.net
(Posted 12-14-2012 at 9:45am, Illinois Radio Network)