Sears not moving headquarters to Ohio

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Sears Holdings Corp. CEO Lou D'Ambrosio says that as long as Gov. Pat Quinn signs a package of tax breaks as expected the company will keep its headquarters in Hoffman Estates.

In a memo obtained by The Associated Press, D'Ambrosio on Tuesday thanked Quinn, Senate President John Cullerton, House Speaker Mike Madigan and others.

Sears had threatened to leave if lawmakers didn't agree to provide incentives. The company had been courted by Ohio and other states.

The Illinois Senate Tuesday passed the tax breaks on a 44-9 vote. Quinn supports them.

The tax package includes $100 million in incentives for Sears and CME Group Inc., which runs the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and the Chicago Board of Trade. A smaller, CBOE Holdings Inc., would also share in the tax relief.

Ohio Gov. John Kasich released this statement regarding reports that Sears will stay in Illinois:

"A year ago, who would have imagined that Ohio would be going toe-to-toe with Texas, the nation's most successful job-creating state, to compete for jobs. We're disappointed that it didn't work out, but it is very exciting that Ohio was in serious contention up to the very end, and that it took a special session of the Illinois legislature to beat us.

"To have one of America's major retailers consider relocating to Ohio is a testament to how far we've come in a short amount of time - we are beginning to get back on track. It's also a reminder that we cannot let up in our efforts to build a jobs-friendly climate so Ohioans can get back to work."