Dupage Policy Journal

Steve Romanelli credits U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam (R-IL) with tirelessly toiling to give the country a sense of normalcy that could make all the difference.

“I’ve traveled around the world to plenty of other places for business, and I can tell you we’re finally starting to look a little like them,” Romanelli, president of Core Pipe Products Inc., told the DuPage Policy Journal, referring to the impact of the recently enacted tax reform law that he credits with helping to jumpstart his business. “For so long, we haven’t had a solid business climate in this country, and that’s put us at a disadvantage. The tax reform bill is good for business in Illinois and good for the country.”

Roskam, the chairman of the Tax Policy Subcommittee, has long championed the legislation as “a critical step toward putting more money into the pockets of Americans,” and now Romanelli says that he and other small business owners have come to experience that first hand.

“I am very much in support of this, and it’s something we can all use to grow our businesses,” he said. “I’m seeing optimism I haven’t seen in a long time in the way businesses are generating new orders and investment. There’s more certainty when it comes to the tax system, and that makes for a major difference.”

Before the new tax law, Romanelli said companies like his all across the country were struggling to compete with overseas competitors, particularly in Illinois, where he contends regulations have been even more cumbersome.  

“We have businesses here in Illinois and in Florida, and I can tell you (that) Illinois has not been business friendly at all,” he said. “Springfield has just not been receptive. They don’t put two and two together to understand that growing businesses mean jobs and that means a better climate for everyone.”

As for Roskam, Romanelli said he has been instrumental in slowly but surely bringing about a change.

“He’s very receptive to what our concerns are and supports many of our efforts,” he said. “He regularly meets with us and is open to hearing what his constituents have to say. I would say he’s quite astute and focused on doing the best that he can.”