Motorola Solutions to add 400 jobs

Motorola Solutions said Tuesday it plans to add about 400 workers to its operations in Chicago over the next 1½ years — and didn't take any government tax incentive package to do it.

Motorola Solutions, which makes equipment and network solutions for government and emergency workers, has about 5,000 employees, mostly at its headquarters in Schaumburg. “The company is performing well and these new positions are in growth areas,” said Motorola Solutions spokesman Nick Sweers.

The new jobs are expected to be in Chicago. In January, Motorola Solutions CEO Greg Brown told the Daily Herald he was committed to keeping the headquarters in Schaumburg and was adamant about expanding in the Chicago area.

“Chicago and Schaumburg remains our hub and we're committed to this area,” Brown said in January. “We're going to maintain it here and we're thrilled with the talent that lives here ... We continue to grow and look to invest here and there will be opportunities to evaluate here in the long term.”

The new jobs will include customer service, sales support, system integration and others.

The 400 will include a mix of new hires as well as transfers from other locations. It's not yet known exactly how many will be new hires, added Sweers.

Motorola Solutions has a longtime office on the 8th floor at 233 N. Michigan Ave., a location also shared with Motorola Mobility. Other offices in the city are being considered, said Sweers. He declined to provide what locations are being targeted.

“It's still business as usual for Motorola Solutions in Schaumburg,” Sweers said.

Sweers also said the company did not take any tax incentives to grow in the city, unlike other companies such as Motorola Mobility.

Motorola Mobility, a separate publicly traded company, received a state tax incentive package of about $100 million when it agreed to keep its headquarters in Libertyville over the next 10 years.

The decision to add workers reflects Motorola Solutions' long-standing commitment to the Chicago area and its desire to support future growth in its business, Brown said during a news conference with Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

“The Chicago area has been our home for more than 80 years and we are pleased to announce that we will bring more jobs to the city,” Brown said in a statement. “We believe Chicago is a world-class location known for its close partnerships with the business community.”

Emanuel continues to bring jobs to the city and talked along with Brown.

“I promised that I would work tirelessly to create a business climate that makes Chicago the most economically competitive city in the nation,” Emanuel said. “I commend Motorola Solutions for expanding its investment here and for bringing these high-quality jobs to the people of Chicago.”

In February, Motorola Solutions laid off about 175 workers in its WiMax technology group, which included some its former Arlington Heights campus. The group was part of the Networks business, which was sold to Nokia Siemens.