Sears statement

Text of a statement from Sears Holdings Corp. in Hoffman Estates following Illinois Senate approval of a bill including tax breaks for the retailer:Sears Holdings Applauds Illinois Lawmakers for Recognizing Company#146;s Value to the State HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., Dec. 13, 2011 Sears Holdings (Nasdaq: SOLD), parent company of Sears Roebuck and Co., Kmart and Lands#146; End, on Tuesday expressed its sincere appreciation for the bipartisan support by the Illinois General Assembly of legislation that, when approved by Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn, will allow Sears to maintain its headquarters in the state it has called home for nearly 125 years.In a statement released today, Lou D#146;Ambrosio, Sears Holdings#146; chief executive officer and president said:#147;While this legislation still must be signed by Gov. Quinn, this is an important day in our company#146;s history. Clearly state leaders recognize our impact on the state of Illinois and have taken the step necessary to keep Sears Holdings an Illinois company. Sears Holdings employs 20,000 people in Illinois alone, we work with 9,100 local vendors, contractors and businesses that provide services and goods to the company and we are a significant taxpayer to the state #8212; over $213 million last year and billions over the last 20 years. #147;All of our Illinois-based associates and I appreciate the efforts of Governor Quinn, Senate President John Cullerton, House Speaker Michael Madigan, Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno and House Minority Leader Tom Cross #8212; as well as House Revenue Chairman John Bradley (D- Marion), Minority Spokesperson David Harris (R- Arlington Heights), and Senate Revenue Chairwoman Toi Hutchinson (D- Olympia Fields) for making our company and future in the state a priority. We are also grateful for the leadership and dedication shown by State Sens. Dan Kotowski (D- Park Ridge) and Matt Murphy (R- Palatine) and Rep. Fred Crespo (D- Hoffman Estates) in working for months to bring this matter to a vote. I also want to thank our associates for their continued focus on our customers and for those that reached out to state lawmakers to reiterate our value to Illinois.#148;About Sears Holdings CorporationSears Holdings Corporation is the nation#146;s fourth largest broadline retailer with over 4,000 full-line and specialty retail stores in the United States and Canada. Sears Holdings is the leading home appliance retailer as well as a leader in tools, lawn and garden, consumer electronics and automotive repair and maintenance. Sears Holdings is the 2011 ENERGY STAR® Retail Partner of the Year. Key proprietary brands include Kenmore, Craftsman and DieHard, and a broad apparel offering, including such well-known labels as Lands#146; End, Jaclyn Smith and Joe Boxer, as well as the Apostrophe and Covington brands. It also has the Country Living collection, which is offered by Sears and Kmart. We are the nation#146;s largest provider of home services, with more than 11 million service calls made annually. Sears Holdings Corporation operates through its subsidiaries, including Sears, Roebuck and Co. and Kmart Corporation. For more information, visit Sears Holdings#146; website at www.searsholdings.com Twitter: @searsholdings Facebook: www.facebook.com/SHCCareersSOURCE: Sears Holdings Corporation