Black Friday deal for Sears?
Earlier this week, we were waiting for Democrats to file legislation that would show everyone what exactly is going to be in the big Sears/CME Group tax breaks deal.
It's Friday, and we're still waiting. It might be Sunday before we know much more.
We asked state Rep. David Harris of Arlington Heights about it Wednesday, when we were about 15 lbs. lighter.
"We still have some discussions going on in a bipartisan way," said Harris, the top Republican on the House committee crafting the plan.
Does Harris think he'll support the final package?
"That depends on what's in it," he said.
And there you have it. The tax incentive proposal remains as fluid as ever.
Though, as we told you last week the Sears terms are mostly set at this point.
The question is: Will the overall deal attract enough lawmaker support to get done? Or will it get so big - estimated to grow to $850 million at one point - that it'll collapse?
We'll should get a sense of that by Monday, when a House committee is scheduled to vote.
I am sick and tired to this pitting one state against another. Let Sears walk. It will cost them millions and millions to move. Most of their employees will not want to, or will be able to move, as they won't be able to sell their homes. This means Sears will have to train thousands of new employees at millions and millions of dollars more. Then Sears will nee a new building or do a complete build out of an existing building. Again costing millions and millions.
I predict that if Sears leaves this state, they will be forced to cost their Illinois stores, costing millions and millions, because why would any of us ever shop there again?
Resident are asking to allow their towns to give back more to Sears. Those "give backs" in the form of more tax breaks are breaking OUR backs. The legislature is going to be hard hit in the next election if a Sears deal is on the backs of residents. Sears made a deal in the late 80s. Now is the time for them to live up to that deal, or get out of town, taking those who will sell us all out to make a sweetheart deal for Sears!