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Rauner Says GE Bypassed Illinois Due to Bad Business Climate

Steven Vance
/
Flickr

 

Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner says he knows why General Electric decided NOT to move its corporate headquarters to Chicago. Rauner says G-E wanted to move to Chicago for its access to O’Hare Airport, the area universities, and the city’s cultural diversity. And it wanted out of Connecticut - a state like Illinois in that it’s also been struggling with its finances and state pensions.

 

Rauner says G-E officials waited to see if Rauner could pass his pro-business agenda - which includes collective bargaining limitations and term limits. But Democrats rejected Rauner’s agenda - and G-E passed on moving to Chicago.

 

"I had to be able to look ‘em in the eye and say, ‘There’s gonna be a balance of power between the insiders and government and taxpayers here.’ I couldn’t say that and they ran out of time waiting.

G-E announced last week it’s moving to Boston."

 

The company didn’t immediately comment on Rauner’s statements

 

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