"I think the state has some serious problems. Just look at the layoffs going on across the state, not just in Chicago. It affects the middle class. It pushes people down"

In this quote, Richard M. Daley is revealing his concern about the current state of affairs in the state. He thinks that there are considerable concerns that need to be attended to. Among the problems he highlights is the widespread layoffs that are taking place not simply in Chicago, but throughout the entire state. This has a direct impact on the middle class, as it puts them in a vulnerable position and can potentially push them even more down the economic ladder. Daley's words suggest that he sees the state's problems as a danger to the well-being of its citizens, especially those in the middle class.