Lawmakers, Sears, leaders still hoping for deal
SPRINGFIELD — The major players trying to finish a deal to keep Sears Holdings Corp. in Hoffman Estates wanted to present the company with a tax-incentive package by the end of last week, originally scheduled as the 2011 close of business for the Illinois legislature.
That didn't happen.
So now, with leaders of the retail giant saying they want to decide by the end of the year whether to stay in Illinois or move to another state that's offering tax breaks, lawmakers will return to the negotiating table to try and get done what they couldn't do before.
The new deadline is Nov. 29, an additional day tacked onto the fall legislative session at the last minute to try and work through obstacles on the Sears deal as well as other major tax proposals to which it has become linked politically.
The fates of all eventually will be determined by top legislative leaders and lawmakers throughout Illinois, many of whom have no local connection to Sears. Over the next few weeks, more initiatives could get tacked onto a massive deal. Or parts, like tax breaks for Sears, could be separated out.
Sears is asking for an extension of its 20-year-old property tax deal with Hoffman Estates, as well as state income tax credits. Carpentersville-based Community Unit District 300 opposes proposals so far, saying tax breaks cut into revenue for schools.
With hearings set for next week, the Daily Herald asked suburban lawmakers closest to the negotiations what has to happen for a deal to get done. Here's what they said.
Sen. Matt Murphy, Palatine Republican
“It's been rolled into a broader package. Whether that package is too large for the individual pieces to pass, I don't know. They may have a better opportunity breaking it back out.”
“Generally, down here (in Springfield), when you want you want to see something move, you have different interests from around the state. And when people's different interests are addressed, they have a stake in the bill.”
“Including a lot of other tax relief into this is something that's only been discussed in the last couple weeks. So I think there's a natural hesitancy to not move too quickly and be rash.”
Rep. Fred Crespo, Hoffman Estates Democrat
“At this point, we have to figure out who supports what. How do we pass this thing?”
“There are no bad people here. Everyone's out there advocating for their own needs.”
Proposals have been filed in both the Illinois House and Senate.
“From my perspective, we have a couple vehicles to get this done.”
“Hopefully it's enough, and hopefully it's in time. The longer you wait, more things can happen.”
Sen. Dan Kotowski, Park Ridge Democrat
“I think we have a framework in place,” Kotowski said, referring to a proposal crafted by suburban lawmakers that would extend Sears' property tax breaks, penalize the company if it left Illinois, and send more money to local governments like District 300.
“We've factored in the 15 different points of view. And we've been able to make sure there are provisions in place to keep the jobs here and penalties in place if Sears leaves. We'll have to see the feedback over the next couple weeks. ... It looks like there's general support for an overall package, but we'll have to see the feedback in the House.”
Sen. Michael Noland, Elgin Democrat
“Well, it's about the money. If we're to vote on that (Sears) separately, I believe that we would be able to get the school district to the table in negotiations.”
“This really has less to do about Sears than it does about Hoffman Estates. I represent Hoffman Estates. I want them to prosper and to do well. But not at the expense of their neighboring community, Carpentersville.”
“We want there to be an understanding between the school district and all the other taxing bodies and Hoffman Estates.”
“They all have to be at the table.”