One of the state’s biggest employers is relocating their headquarters to Irving, Texas. A decade ago Caterpillar’s CEO warned state leaders of business losses unless they balanced the budget, controlled workers’ comp costs and cut taxes. He was ignored.

News outlets have reported that Foxconn will announce plans to build a production plant in Wisconsin that could employ up to 13,000 workers.

The industry giant’s move comes amid continued disinvestment in Illinois manufacturing.

In February 2012, Caterpillar’s then-CEO Doug Oberhelman outlined needed reforms to save Illinois manufacturing jobs. State lawmakers have failed to act, and the Land of Lincoln is the only state in the region to lose manufacturing jobs since.

With Peoria and downstate reeling, the Caterpillar move comes at a time of persistent disinvestment in Illinois manufacturing.

Peoria-based heavy-equipment manufacturer Caterpillar has announced a possible move of up to 800 manufacturing jobs out of Aurora.

CAT announces more layoffs due to anticipated losses in 2017.

The Land of Lincoln’s unfriendly climate for manufacturers has weakened Illinois cities, discouraged investment and made the state uncompetitive in the region.

Manufacturers are struggling with unfavorable global conditions, and Illinois’ anti-growth policies are only hurting the state’s industrial sector more.

Caterpillar’s plans to bring new jobs to Arizona demonstrate how Illinois politicians’ planned tax hikes and failure to make needed regulatory reforms harm the state’s manufacturing sector.