Ohio governor not betting on Sears move

AVON LAKE, Ohio — Ohio's governor is trying not to get hopes up about Sears moving its corporate headquarters to the state.

Multiple media outlets report Gov. John Kasich said Tuesday during at an appearance at a Ford Motor Co. plant near Cleveland that he would bet the retailer won't leave Hoffman Estates for Ohio.

He says he believes Illinois will make Sears Holdings Corp. an offer to keep the company from moving.

Kasich hasn't confirmed a report from Illinois officials that Ohio pitched $400 million in incentives to lure the parent of the Sears and Kmart chains.

Sears hasn't commented about any potential offers.

A person familiar with the negotiations said in early October that Sears Holdings was looking at Columbus, Ohio, and Austin, Texas, as possible new locations.