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Illinois sending delegation to Seattle to look around, won’t meet anyone

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Illinois

Gov. Bruce Rauner and Mayor Rahm Emanuel are sending a team to Seattle on Tuesday as part of their efforts to persuade Amazon to bring its second headquarters — along with 50,000 jobs — to Chicago.

Mayoral spokesman Grant Klinzman on Monday said the delegation will be surveying the Amazon campus “to help determine which Chicago area sites would best fit the company’s future needs,” he said in a statement. The mayor’s office, however, said the team isn’t meeting with Amazon officials during the trip.

Among those taking the trip include deputy mayors Bob Rivkin and Andrea Zopp; Deputy Governor Leslie Munger; hedge fund manager Michael Sacks; former Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker; Farzin Parang from the governor’s economic development team; Chicago planning commissioner David Reifman; Deputy Planning Commissioner Aarti Kotak; World Business Chicago President Jeff Malehorn; and Intersect Illinois CEo Mark Peterson. […]

Sites being talked about for the bid include the North Branch Industrial corridor, the old Main Post Office; the Michael Reese Hospital site; a 62-acre South Loop parcel once owned by convicted developer Tony Rezko and the McCormick Place East side that Emanuel offered to demolish in a failed attempt to keep the Lucas Museum in Chicago.

I’m told this trip is “not as weird as it sounds.” And some heavy hitters are making the venture, so I doubt they, at least, would completely waste their time.

* And what’s Munger doing on the trip? Here’s the Sun-Times…

Former state Comptroller Leslie Munger says she is “swamped” overseeing economic development and other projects as deputy governor — but not too busy to roll up her sleeves to help persuade Amazon to build its second headquarters in Chicago.

Munger said Gov. Bruce Rauner appointed her “point person” for the state’s efforts to deliver the Amazon headquarters a few days ago.

She also told the Chicago Sun-Times that Rauner has personally spoken to Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos about the coveted project.

“It requires working with the city, working with Intersect Illinois and DCEO [the Department of Commerce and Economic Opporunity],” Munger said Friday of her new assignment. “It requires working with various other agencies in the state to figure out our assets, what we can look at and consider to offer Amazon. My role is to come in at a high leader level to bring the team together to set the goals and roll up my sleeves.”

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 4:07 pm

Comments

I’m sure we can count on Munger to get 48% of the Amazon HQ.

Comment by Arsenal Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 4:12 pm
Between Penny Pritzker and Leslie Munger, the writers of “Dad’s Home State” can’t convince HBO this is actually happening and this trip with this makeup of travelers is indeed not total farce.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 4:13 pm
Munger’s in charge? Great. Congratulations to Boston on getting Amazon HQ2.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 4:13 pm
Can you say under the bus.

Comment by Red rider Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 4:16 pm
Trying to dissect her last sentence…wouldn’t you roll up your sleeves first? And what is a “high leader level?”

Comment by Strunk & White Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 4:17 pm
High leader level.

I appreciate her radical candor.

*eye roll*

Comment by Anoniphone Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 4:18 pm
Besides, didn’t Rauner just say at his press conference today that he *was* meeting with execs? Now he’s not?

Comment by Anoniphone Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 4:21 pm
Munger should’ve just gone with “I have no responsibilities here whatsoever.”

Comment by Robert the Bruce Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 4:23 pm
===”…My role is to come in at a high leader level to bring the team together to set the goals and roll up my sleeves.”===

Welp, if your gamble us to be the hero or the failure, depending on the situation(s), that’s the kind of quote that puts someone in the middle of historic perspective where history will judge the outcome.

Or…

Rauner needs a scapegoat or a “point person” that he selected to absorb the victory as a Rauner victory outside all others.

Or… both.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 4:23 pm
So, are we to assume that his earlier commitment to work with St. Louis was just more pandering to the downstate voters?

I was moderately hopeful that he was being genuine and truthful in his efforts to help get this in Illinois! Just because we cooperate with being a part of the SMSA there is no predetermined conclusion that it would be located in Missouri. The Metro East area does have much going for it.

Comment by illini Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 4:24 pm
Imagine a world without a state income tax. Imagine a world that’s a right to work state. Imagine a world with low workers compensation costs. Imagine a world where public pension costs aren’t a problem. That’s the world Amazon imagines for its’ next headquarters.

Comment by Steve Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 4:28 pm
They don’t need to schedule any meetings while they are out there, but if they all stay at the same hotel (the Grand Hyatt Seattle is nice), then hanging out in the bar after 10pm could be quite instructive for the Amazon operatives.

If you thought the school bill was a Chicago bailout, watch how the city gets the state to pony up the cash to buy the land that the city owns but will turn around and give to Amazon.

Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 4:31 pm
Was Boeing they happy with their move to Chicago?

Comment by Mugwump Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 4:32 pm
Hey Steve. Then why is Chicago even asked to submit a proposal? With your thinking, just give it to Mississippi and be done with it.

Comment by don the legend Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 4:33 pm
===workers compensation costs===

I’m kinda doubting that’s a big part of a headquarters operation.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 4:43 pm
I’ll leave the obvious Munger comments to others. My point is to wish that some outreach had been done to get GA leaders to join in the trip/effort. Showing a buy-in by the legislature would be very helpful. Now with that said, I’ll take my tinfoil hat off.

Comment by Norseman Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 4:44 pm
Steve’s vision for America is a Chinese sweatshop industrial park… havent seen anything from besos that indicates that’s hisnvidion as well.

But the most glaring inaccuracy is that a headquarters is seeking low wage right to work workers. Has are where you put your higher paid people over all. Can’t attract good management at 5/hr

Comment by Ghost Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 4:46 pm
I hope someone tells the Amazon people that there is a Starbucks in Chicago.

Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 4:48 pm
===My point is to wish that some outreach had been done to get GA leaders to join in the trip/effort. Showing a buy-in by the legislature would be very helpful.===

- Norseman -, you once again force me to look at something where the obvious should’ve been noted.

I see this “oversight” as Rauner, even Rahm, missing a critical piece of bridge-building and goodwill that can be used to reap rewards far beyond what ever does happen with Amazon.

I see Munger playing point, but isn’t the point to let Amazon or others see that Illinois is squarely behind this effort?

Does one need to be a high level leader to forget the role of the legislative importance if such importance is needed later?

Great point - Norseman -, looks like a purposeful oversight

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 4:53 pm
– the team isn’t meeting with Amazon officials during the trip. –

Yeah, honey, I’ve got to go to Seattle for a few days for business, all business, big team effort. Sorry for the short notice, but it’s really important for work. Who will I be meeting with? Well … ahhhh … yeah … we’re not actually meeting with anyone, we’re just going to go and … ahhh … look around and, you know, get a feel for the place. All business. It’s really important. What’s that? The CloneApalooza Weedstock celebration is coming up in Seattle? That sounds f-ing golden … I mean … I don’t know what you’re talking about. This is all business. Just going to have a look around. It’s important for the people of Illinois.

https://www.everfest.com/e/cloneapalooza-weedstock-music-festival-vashon-wa

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 4:57 pm
“===workers compensation costs===

I’m kinda doubting that’s a big part of a headquarters operation. ”

The new HQ will have up to 50K employees. In Illinois , ALL employees have to be covered by WC. Even tech and white collar workers can get injured on the job.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 4:58 pm
Anyone else just glad they’re all there? I am.

Comment by A guy Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 4:59 pm
===Anyone else just glad they’re all there? I am.===

“Never mistake activity for achievement” - Coach John Wooden.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 5:00 pm
My kneejerk reaction was to consider it a boondoggle. In thinking it through, the point is to show interest and effort. I’m sure Amazon will know they are there. I doubt that there would be no heads up that the team will be coming. I find it hard to believe that this group will be coming into the campus looking like tourists. I also wouldn’t be surprised to hear that they have informal meetings with Amazon folks.

Comment by Norseman Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 5:08 pm
Amazon’s 10-K says they had 341,000 full and part-time employees at the end of 2016. Who in their right mind thinks their second headquarters is going to have 50,000 employees?

Comment by Whatever Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 5:10 pm
That South Loop parcel is effin-golden.

Take a trip to the top of the Sears Tower, look south and you won’t believe that much prime real estate on the river is undeveloped. That has to be about the sweetest urban open space that’s not a park in the country.

From memory, I believe the railroads jammed it up for decades (they had old-school-19th-Century-right-of-way-hand) but that’s been worked out.

Think Glenview Air Base.

I don’t know if Chicago is really in the hunt (who does?) but if it it is, I’d place my chips there.

I seriously doubt that Amazon is dumb enough to take on the liability of the Old Post Office. It can’t be repurposed, it’s filled with asbestos, anchors the Canal Street Bridge and straddles the expressway.

What’s to like?

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 5:21 pm
If Amazon were worried about the State and the City not cooperating, a group like this suggests otherwise. They can agree enthusiastically on 50K jobs. I’m glad they’re there.

Comment by A guy Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 5:21 pm
Chicago might be a bargain for back office operations these days.

Comment by Mr B. Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 5:25 pm
Reading that list, I’m thinking Penny Pritzker better be prepared to pick up a handful of bar tabs. Just saying.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 5:27 pm
I can save them the trip. Offer a less traffic congested area, a better yearly climate and all the amenities of the Seattle area and they may consider moving the headquarters.

I have worked in Seattle a few times. Other than the rain and clouds that obstruct Mt Rainier on occasions, it will be hard to beat what Seattle has.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 5:35 pm
That was me at 5:35

Comment by FormerParatrooper Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 5:38 pm
The Amazon chase is sickening display of high ego chasing higher ego at the expense of the 99%. Every one ready to give their first born for a Bezos shiny object.

As I recall there are two sales people who are given the choice how they desire to $1 million (a) make 1 sale of $1 million, (b) make a million sales of $1. Which is better method?

For me, I’d prefer all the Amazon spending be directed instead at hundreds of small businesses spread in many cities across Illinois. You know, all those small rural communities that are hurting!

A 1000 home town businesses will provide far greater benefit than an Amazon (which wlll take more, ie., profit, than they contribute (expenses).

Plus with option (b) even if 10 fail the 990 successes will improve the economy.

Comment by Jim O Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 5:53 pm
Chicago sits at one of the fastest, high-capacity internet nexus points in the world. It’s one reason the BOT likes to stay there; that fractionally-faster connection can translate in millions or more when making fast, A.I.-controlled trades. I’d imagine Amazon would appreciate the connectivity.

Comment by Newsclown Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 6:00 pm
Steve: Will you give up your mythological vision of what big companies must want, when Amazon, like Caterpillar and Boeing, choose to move to Chicago?

When we and others survey corporate site selection executives, your IPI/APF list aren’t among the top factors they use. Sorry.

Comment by walker Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 6:23 pm
==Imagine a world without a state income tax.==

Amazon already lives in that world. It’s called Washington.

Comment by City Zen Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 7:25 pm
Jim O — Every one ready to give their first born for a Bezos shiny object.–

Actually, your first born, not theirs.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 7:54 pm
Everyone . You miss my point. I’m not saying everything I listed was a deal breaker. I’m just pointing out how a lot of people who run S&P 500 companies think. I’m not saying they all do. Or it’s right. I’m just saying some corporate guys don’t want to be in a union state even if their workforce isn’t going to be necessarily union. If Amazon comes to Chicago or anywhere in Illinois: they’ll get a special deal that small and medium sized businesses will be subsidizing… You can count on that.

Comment by Steve Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 8:01 pm
===I’m just saying some corporate guys don’t want to be in a union state even if their workforce isn’t going to be necessarily union.===

Didn’t Amazon just open a place here in Illinois, or something?

Maybe I’m wrong…

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 8:14 pm
Just wondering. In the next 10 years, will Illinois lose 50,000 retail jobs to automation and on-line sales. I know we cant stop progress(?), but does it have to cost $xxx billion of taxpayers money?

Comment by Blue dog dem Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 8:31 pm
Why not put it in central or southern IL where more jobs are needed.

Comment by Mama Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 9:28 pm
Mama, downstate has 0% chance. The workforce is miniscule.

Comment by Ron Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 9:54 pm
Amazon is already making offers for land in the metro area of Chicago. they offered big $$$$$ for River Forest CC and were turned down. The 75 equity members would have gotten 400k+ each but opted to stay with the club…….dum bunch out there in Elmhurst.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Sep 18, 17 @ 10:20 pm
Where is Rauners out of state travel ban for state employees

Comment by Rabid Tuesday, Sep 19, 17 @ 1:05 am
Rabid, seriously, who let you in here?

Comment by Iggy Tuesday, Sep 19, 17 @ 7:45 am
- Iggy -

It’s snark, lighten up.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Sep 19, 17 @ 7:49 am
Why not put it in central or southern IL where more jobs are needed.

Because that isn’t the driver behind this decision for them at all. Amazon isn’t looking at this as a job creation program.

Amazon has a bit of a reputation in the tech world as a tough place to work, not that there are all sorts of ‘tough places to work’ but the potential upside at many of them makes it a bit easier to swallow. However trying to get people to work at a ‘tough place’ in an area where there are limited other job options for someone with a specific skill set is a very tough sell.

So what I suspect Amazon is looking for is an area with enough people (both technical and not) who are willing to take on a tough place to work. Chicago has that, my guess is, however, they are going to end up in Charlotte NC. Good sized technical work force and a lower cost.

Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Sep 19, 17 @ 9:08 am
Among all the DCEO professional recruitment team, who is their lead?

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Sep 19, 17 @ 4:26 pm