HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. (AP) - A Democratic state legislator says the layoffs reported at Sears aren't a surprise to him after the Illinois legislature approved a tax credit for the Hoffman Estates company. Rep. Jack Franks of Marengo was a vocal opponent of the credit. In December, legislators approved a $150 million tax credit for Sears after the company threatened to move out of state. The credit depends on the company's ability to maintain 4,250 jobs at headquarters. But the company has more workers than that. Franks says that means that Sears could still lay off numerous workers and get the benefit provided by Illinois tax payers. He says the approval of the tax incentives showed weak leadership in the General Assembly. Sears Holding Corp. said Thursday that it's laying off about 100 people. full story
