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CAT CEO: Illinois clouds are clearing

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Illinois

* We’ll see how Oberhelman feels after the spring session ends, but maybe the legions of Illinois haters will finally take note…

Caterpillar Inc. chairman and CEO Doug Oberhelman, who has raised concerns about state finances with the governor in the past, welcomed the crowd of 500 people on a positive note.

“I absolutely believe that the clouds are clearing in Illinois. The state’s legislative leadership has stopped digging a hole and there’s sunshine ahead,” said Oberhelman, before presenting Illinois Senate President John Cullerton with a sustainability award.

“I am more optimistic today than I have been in quite some time. I will compliment Gov. Quinn when I see him.”

Talk amongst yourselves.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Apr 9, 12 @ 12:06 pm

Comments

CATs a big dog (bad pun) and a global player. Right now, they’re doing well, believe they’re at the start of a cyclical upswing and are bullish on the U.S. market. Good on them.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/04/09/us-caterpillar-bet-idUSBRE8380AY20120409

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Apr 9, 12 @ 12:20 pm
“Sustainability.” Its like someone at Caterpillar is reading my posts or something.

Last month I pointed out that Caterpillar’s annual sustainability report credits the company with reducing its workplace injury rate (and thus workers compensation cases) by 86%. Without ANY statutory changes in the definition of causation.

I applaud Caterpillar for their passionate commitment to improving worker safety, and hope other employers will follow their lead.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Monday, Apr 9, 12 @ 12:28 pm
Two months ago they announced a new plant in Georgia.

I suspect that Cat will continue to say a lot of nice things about Illinois, since this is home and they have a lot to lose by picking a fight with the people who inspect their plants, audit their tax returns, grant various permits, etc.

Then, I expect they’ll open up new plants in other venues.

Comment by Cat Man Do Monday, Apr 9, 12 @ 12:31 pm
Is there more information about the sustainability award Oberhelman gave Cullerton? Is this an annual thing, a special commemoration, or something else? Why did Cullerton receive it?

Comment by Boone Logan Square Monday, Apr 9, 12 @ 12:42 pm
CATs quite bullish on its Illinois plants, as well.

http://www.reliableplant.com/Read/12200/caterpillar-to-exp-capacity-for-illinois-operations

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Apr 9, 12 @ 12:52 pm
All Hail Speaker Madigan.

Comment by just sayin' Monday, Apr 9, 12 @ 12:59 pm
Guess no one else noticed that Mr CAT’s positive comments were buried in the PJS story, there was no pick-up and no follow up. Other than that it was covered EXACTLY LIKE the “we’re moving” story from last year.
Guess the CAT FLack was on holiday and forgot to get the word out. Tsk

And it is amazing how work comp cost decline when workers are not being asked to saw off their fingers to get a few more bull dozers out the door.

Comment by CircularFiringSquad Monday, Apr 9, 12 @ 1:09 pm
@CircularFiringSquad -

In CAT’s defense, it was not about sawing off fingers and more like Insisting Everyone Wear a Hardhat.

Moreover, I would bet that if you looked at all of the workplace injuries in Illinois, you’re much safer on an assembly line than on a restaurant line.

Putting six people in a galley space half the size of a prison cell with sharp knives, open flames, searing pans, and boiling oil…well, you can imagine what lunch rush looks like.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Monday, Apr 9, 12 @ 2:37 pm
I would hope so after the deal they cut with the state. If only every business could be so lucky.

Comment by Boone's is Back Monday, Apr 9, 12 @ 2:53 pm
–I would hope so after the deal they cut with the state. If only every business could be so lucky.–

What deal is that?

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Apr 9, 12 @ 3:00 pm
First Cullerton gets Madigan to say something at your roast and now he gets Oberhelman to say something about Illinois.
The Force is strong in this one.

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Monday, Apr 9, 12 @ 4:50 pm
that should be something “nice” about Illinois.
My bad.

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Monday, Apr 9, 12 @ 4:51 pm
Guess they haven’t visited the Aurora plant. Overpaid Management!

Comment by CAT EMPLOYEE Tuesday, Apr 10, 12 @ 3:31 am
Memo to CAT…Don’t compliment the governor just yet lest he decide that the job is done and he can start bad-mouthing big bad corporations and their tax loopholes.

Comment by Commonsense in Illinois Tuesday, Apr 10, 12 @ 9:21 am
@Commonsense Illinois-

Between the pension bill and the Medicaid cuts, you can bet that closing corporate loopholes is on the table.

That said, I’m not sure CAT gets much in the way of tax breaks from the state.

Moreover, the entire business sector should be for a deal that closes corporate tax loopholes and sales tax loopholes in exchange for reducing the overall corporate and sales tax rate.

Look at your cell phone bill. We still tax cell phones like they are a luxury, even though they’ve become a business necessity. I bet your cell phone bill is around 20% taxes and fees.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Tuesday, Apr 10, 12 @ 9:50 am