Education got a thumbs-up or "B" grade from the Illinois Chamber of Commerce in its recently released Economic Competitiveness Scorecard made available through the state office in Springfield.

Illinois Chamber President Doug Whitley said the state ranks and scores well on both K-12 and postsecondary education, as well as on workforce preparedness.

"The state continues to be a magnet for out-of-state talent, but its attraction to well-educated foreign workers has slipped," Whitney said. Still, he said, Illinois performs above most of its neighbors and other competitors on education measures.

Marion Unit 2 Superintendent Wade Hudgens said he believes the quality of education offered students in his district and other districts in the county has made "a huge impact" on the business community.

"Take the Aisin plants, for example," Hudgens said. "I strongly suspect they would have moved elsewhere if they weren't satisfied with the quality of education provided here for their employees."

Hudgens said about 30 Japanese students attend Marion schools and most didn't speak English when they first arrived. Great strides have been made in recent years to bridge that gap, however, and make the transition to America much smoother.

Workforce preparedness was the only other category to receive a "B" from the state chamber.

The scorecard is one of a series of research and policy studies commissioned by the chamber to provide accurate and timely information and perspectives for use when addressing long-term issues critical to improving the state's competitive edge.

Receiving low grades were regulatory environment (D-); business dynamism (D); research and innovation (D+); business costs (C-); and state economic prosperity index (C+).

"It is paramount that we establish a solid foundation that prepares our people, our employers and our state to successfully compete in an ever-changing global economy in order to promote prosperity and economic opportunity," Whitley said.