Illinois tried to stop Modern Forge departure

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn says he wanted Blue Island-based Modern Forge to stay in Illinois and not move to Indiana.

Quinn says the state made a “generous” offer to the company to stay, but the Chicago Democrat says it’s the company’s choice to leave.

Quinn also stressed Tuesday that Illinois attracted jobs from Indiana when Navistar relocated more of its operations to Illinois.

Modern Forge on Tuesday announced plans to set up forging production lines and offices in an existing Merrillville facility.

Quinn says movement by companies is a fact of life in a modern economy. But he adds that such moves won’t necessarily reduce a company’s tax liability in Illinois because they’re taxed on income derived from sales in the state regardless of where they are located.