By Bill Cameron, WLS-AM News
(CHICAGO) The mayor of Peoria says the city is going to hold Caterpillar officials to their word that the company will remain a presence as a civic and philanthropic leader in the Central Illinois city.
Surrounded by 30 community leaders, Peoria Mayor Jim Ardis spoke at a press conference this afternoon after the farming and construction equipment maker announced it was moving its headquarters to the Chicago area.
Mayor Ardis said in a statement that Peoria will continue to look for ways to expand its economy.
Caterpillar says it’s relocating about 300 executive positions to Chicago.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel is reacting positively and says Cat already has some employees here.
“The ability of our city to get anywhere in the world for a company like Caterpillar, anywhere in the United State, is a tremendous economic advantage for us and we’re going to continue investing in that area,” Enamuel said. “We’re going to talk to them about what their plans are. But know already, today, over the last year Caterpillar has moved people into the Merchandise Mart in the City of Chicago. I’m not sure of the exact headcount but I think the headcount is 40. They see what GE Healthcare when they left London, they see what GE Transportation when they left Western Pennsylvania, they see what all these other companies [see], that Chicago has a tremendous set of offerings when it comes to talent and transportation.”
But if political clout is any factor, a Republican suburb near O’Hare might have greater pull than the city.
@ 2017 WLS-AM News
