CME move threat puts focus on unpopular tax hike

The suggestion by the owner of two major futures exchanges that it could relocate jobs because of Illinois' business tax casts another spotlight on the unpopular increase Gov. Pat Quinn says is necessary to rescue the state's finances.

CME Group owns the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and the Chicago Board of Trade. CME officials this week said they're looking at a move to other states. This comes just a couple months after manufacturing giant Caterpillar Inc. said it had been courted by other states.

Caterpillar has since said it's staying put, but CME Group Chairman Terrence Duffy told the Chicago Sun-Times that they had to do what was best for shareholders.

Quinn's office says Illinois has advantages for businesses that are "unparalleled."