Quinn in talks with Sears to keep HQ in Illinois

[The Northerner]

Sears Holdings Corp. is considering moving its Hoffman Estates headquarters out of Illinois in a bid to cut costs, according to a source familiar with negotiations.

The retailer is in early talks with officials from several states, including New Jersey, Ohio, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas and Georgia, the source said.

Gov. Pat Quinn said on Monday that his office is working with Sears to keep the company in Illinois, saying he has a good relationship with company officials and has met with them on other issues.

Quinn said the company is benefiting from a tax deal with the state, which expires next year, and he's willing to consider a similar arrangement as long as they "do something for the people. They have to make investments in Illinois."

Read more: http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/breaking/chibrkbus-sears-considering-move-from-hoffman-estates-20110509,0,3546294.story

[blondeatlast]

1. There's something really odd about the fact that moving one's hq is

cheaper than staying.

Pay your damn taxes, Sears, and STFU.

[Drale]

2. I'm sure republican governors have been in touch with Sears

telling them no taxes if you move to my state. As far as I'm concerned, that makes those Republicans traitors.

[rfranklin]

4. The inducement would cost the taxpayers of the state...

Usually the tax breaks are more than the resident companies of the state would receive, especially small businesses.

[Liberal_in_LA]

8. Other states: Texas and others, advertise on California TV for businesses to move away

[Brickbat]

3. It blows me away that states are willing to scab on themselves this way.

[sharesunited]

5. It's blackmail Governor Quinn. Just get some businesses started...

with the state's exemption from securities laws.

I have no problem with state owned businesses.

Do it.

In fact, target some portion of Sears' own market and go after it hard with a business entity of the state's own creation.

Let Christie have all the freeloading corporations he can get.

[mucifer]

6. makes me want to vomit. What choice does he have? Greed .

[no_hypocrisy]

7. NJ's Christie's been trying to steal businesses from Illinois for the longest time.