UAL Corp. considering move from Elk Grove Township

UAL Corp. - the parent company of United Airlines - may be looking to move out of its Elk Grove Township operations center, company officials stated in an e-mailed newsletter to employees.

In the newsletter, employees were told by Chief Operating Officer John Tague the company is looking to "improve the work environment for our employees at the Operations Center," adding they are "looking at possible options including other locations in the greater Chicagoland area."

Megan McCarthy, spokesperson for UAL Corp., said no final decisions have been made and the company is "reviewing all possible options."

Elk Grove Township Supervisor Nancy Vanderweel said, if the company moves out, the township would stil be able to recoup property taxes.

However, she said, the businesses and villages would lose a lot of sales tax because the employees from UAL would leave with the company.

"Whether they sell the property or not, someone will have to pay property taxes on the property, so it won't hurt us too much," she said.

"But, the sales tax revenue that businesses and villages rely on, that could be lost and would be tough to make up."

She said it's unclear how much sales tax the surrounding villages take in from employees of UAL.

The Elk Grove site had served as United's headquarters until 2006 when it moved its headquarters to Chicago.

However, UAL Corp. remained behind.

McCarthy did not know how many employees remain at the Elk Grove Township site.

Tague also said in the newsletter the real estate market allows for the company to "consider options for more modern and technologically conducive workplaces," while also "reducing our cost."

It's unclear at this time what could happen with the Elk Grove site should the airline move out.