Hoffman Votes to Crack Down on Corporations Shipping Local Jobs Overseas

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Big businesses that ship local jobs overseas will be required to pay back every dime they have received from Illinois taxpayers under a measure spearheaded by state Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea.

“If corporations send jobs in the Metro-East or across Illinois out of the state, we need to hold them accountable and make sure they pay back any taxpayer funded incentives they received,” Hoffman said. “Our taxpayer dollars should be spent to create jobs here in Illinois.”

Hoffman voted to pass the Keep Illinois Business Act, House Bill 3538, which would disqualify any business that has moved all or part of its business out of state from qualifying for any form of state credits, incentives and loans funded by Illinois taxpayers. The legislation would also require these businesses to pay back any monetary assistance previously received if they move jobs out of the state.

The measure is a key element of Hoffman’s economic reform agenda, which will create and protect Illinois jobs while also lifting up the middle class. In addition to cracking down on corporate outsourcers, Hoffman is fighting to reinstate tax credits for Illinois businesses that create jobs locally. Hoffman’s reforms also help working families keep more of their hard-earned money by expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit.

“Our economy is driven by the working woman and men of the state,” Hoffman said. “The economic reforms I’m supporting will help grow the state’s economy by providing tax relief for working families, leveling the playing for local businesses and creating local jobs.”