CHAMPAIGN – Gov. Pat Quinn has argued in recent weeks that Illinois is in the middle of a job-creation revival, but while some of his claims stand up to scrutiny, others don't, and still others do not appear based on anything concrete enough to be sure.

With state unemployment pushing back to 9 percent, the governor made jobs a critical theme in both his State of the State address and a speech presenting what he called the state's worst ever budget. It was a note of optimism amid warnings about the state's pension crisis and other bleak financial matters.

"Our Illinois is a place where everyone has an opportunity to work," Quinn said during the State of the State speech, "and where our companies innovate and grow."