* Sen. Andy Manar has worked out a deal with ADM on its tax break request…

Under the new version, both the 100 headquarters jobs and the 100 tech jobs would have to be created for ADM to get its tax incentives. They would be in Chicago.

Beyond that, the company would have to relocate at least 100 full-time positions from out of state to Illinois — specifically to “an Illinois municipality that is a county seat and has as population” of 50,000 to 100,000: Decatur. And ADM in Decatur would have to hire at least 100 new full-time workers a year for at least five years. Those could be either replacement or net new jobs.

Mr. Manar said his goal is to ensure that jobs now in Decatur do not slowly trickle up to a Chicago headquarters and are, at a minimum, replaced.

The additional Decatur jobs would be eligible for EDGE credits under the bill. Mr. Manar said he does not yet know how much that would get the company, but believes it would be well under the $1.2 million per year for the headquarters jobs since they’d pay less.

Thoughts?

…Adding… Manar press release…

State Senator Andy Manar (D–Bunker Hill) today filed legislation that will help create hundreds of new jobs across the state, including Decatur, and keep ADM headquarters in Illinois.

ADM announced in September its intentions to relocate its world headquarters and sought state incentives to keep it in Illinois. Manar opposed the initial bill filed in the House citing its failure to provide adequate assurances that investments would be made and jobs would be created to offset the loss of jobs and economic activity in Decatur created by the move.

Working with ADM executives and local officials in Decatur, Manar crafted a bill that will allow ADM to keep its headquarters, along with 100 corporate headquarter jobs, here in Illinois. In addition, ADM will move 100 jobs from other states to Decatur and, over the next five years, is committed to adding or filling 100 full-time positions annually in Decatur.

“I’ve been in office less than a year, but it is abundantly clear that Illinois faces major challenges,” Manar said. “Illinois’ unemployment rate is 9.2 percent – two points higher than the national average. Decatur’s unemployment rate is even higher, which is why we have to begin addressing chronic unemployment that has plagued certain areas of the state by investing our resources where it will have the greatest impact.”

“Throughout this process, I have said that keeping ADM in Illinois was a priority but not at the expense of taxpayers and jobs,” Manar continued. “The bill I have introduced will allow ADM to continue their long and valued partnership with Illinois, while growing and creating much-needed jobs here.”

Manar’s legislation also creates a job task force to create even more downstate jobs by promoting ADM’s new Midwest Inland Port intermodal facility. Taking advantage of three class one railroads that intersect in Decatur, a coalition of public sector officials and private business leaders will work to maximize and improve our transportation infrastructure, which will lead to long-term economic growth for Decatur and Downstate Illinois.

To ensure taxpayers are protected, strict accountability measures have been included in the proposal. If job creation and investment provisions are not met, ADM will return incentive funds to the taxpayers.

“I appreciate ADM’s willingness to listen and work with both myself and local elected officials to create this important job creation legislation,” Manar concluded. “Our state still has a tough hill to climb and faces many challenges that demand our disciplined attention, but this bill is a step in the right direction – solidifying ADM’s current and future presence in Illinois while helping create jobs in a balanced way throughout the state.”