Durbin adds voice to those urging Sears to stay
Since news broke that Sears Holdings Corp. officials are mulling moving the Illinois stalwart from Hoffman Estates, several politicians have offered their support for keeping the company in Illinois.
Add U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin to the list.
The office of the Chicago Democrat on Friday released a letter to Sears President and CEO Louis D’Ambrosio, dated Tuesday.
“Your company employs more than 6,000 in (the) Hoffman Estates headquarters alone,” the letter reads. “It is with the long history of partnership between Sears, Illinois and Illinois workers in mind that I encourage you to look for ways to continue and grow our partnership moving forward.”
Sears executives have traveled to New Jersey, North Carolina, Tennessee and Texas as possible destinations once its incentive agreements with the state and Hoffman Estates expire at the end of 2012. The competition from other states has given Sears leverage to broker a new deal.
Durbin’s letter urged D’Ambrosio to keep the company in Hoffman Estates, where Sears moved in 1992 after leaving the Sears Tower in Chicago. Durbin wrote about federal legislation that could affect Sears. He referenced the Main Street Fairness Act which would allow brick-and-mortar stores to better compete with online retailers. He also mentioned the Unemployment Insurance Solvency Act which aims to stop automatic tax hikes for businesses like Sears.
On the state level, House Bill 3435 sits in Springfield. That would allow Hoffman Estates to offer 15 more years of tax breaks while keeping at least 4,000 Sears jobs in Hoffman Estates. State Rep. Fred Crespo, a Hoffman Estates Democrat from the 44th District who sponsored the bill, said he hopes Springfield lawmakers will take action within the next two legislative sessions.
Durbin’s concern stems from the 15,000 Sears jobs, which includes consultants and ancillary posts.
There’s also the question of revenue. A report commissioned by Sears shows annual tax revenues in Illinois would decrease by $130.7 million if Sears moved out of state.
Hoffman Estates Mayor William McLeod said he’s gotten supportive phone calls, including one from Hanover Park Village President Rodney Craig.
McLeod said he’s happy to have Durbin onboard.
“It’s always good to have the support of one of the most important people in the country, there’s no question about that,” McLeod said.