CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — The state agency in charge of helping improve Illinois’ economy released a five-year plan on Monday that it hopes will create a good environment for business growth and prosperity.

The plan is required under a state law passed last year, part of an effort to build up a state economy that is the engine for a region but also proving ill-equipped to deal with high unemployment. Illinois has the Midwest’s largest economy and Chicago is a key hub, but Illinois’ 7.5 percent unemployment rate is one of the nation’s highest.