Halpin Looks to Hold Outsourcing Businesses Accountable

ROCK ISLAND, Ill. – Hoping to deter businesses from moving operations out of Illinois, state Rep. Mike Halpin, D-Rock Island, is introducing legislation that will disallow any business that moves jobs out of state from qualifying for any state economic assistance and require them to pay back the tax dollars they have received in the past.

“The Quad Cities have a long history of businesses taking our hard-earned tax dollars that were meant to encourage economic growth, only to have them move operations out of state or out of the country,” Halpin said. “We need to be holding these businesses accountable and ensuring our tax dollars are going to businesses that want to do business in Illinois.”

House Bill 3538, also known as the Keep Illinois Business Act, will disqualify any business that has moved all or part of its business out of state from qualifying for economic development assistance. The legislation would also require these businesses to pay back the monetary assistance previously received if they move jobs out of the state. Businesses will have the opportunity to challenge the revocation if they feel it is unjust or improper.  Halpin hopes this effort will deter businesses that want to increase their profit margins by moving out of state.

“Our tax-dollars should go to businesses that want to invest in Illinois, not those that are willing to turn their backs on their communities and move out of state to increase profits,” Halpin said. “I hope my colleagues on both sides of the aisle will see the value of this legislation and how important it is for the Quad Cities and Illinois.”

For more information, please contact Halpin’s full-time constituent service office at 309-558-3612 or at rephalpin@gmail.com.