Chambana Sun

In a June 14 Facebook post, Rep. Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville) addressed Caterpillar's decision to move its headquarters to Texas.

"The move is 'in the best strategic interest of the company,' Chief Executive Jim Umpleby said in a statement today. 240 jobs moving to Texas. I've often stated 'Illinois is the greatest economic development tool a neighboring, southeastern & southwestern state could have.' What will Governor JB Pritzker & his majority party say about this? What about losing Boeing in May after the $60,000,000 of tax incentives ran out? Who's next? When will this ever end? #stoptheexodus #restoreillinois #leadership #policychangeneedednow," Halbrook posted on Facebook.

According to Marketwatch, the company said that there are more Caterpillar workers in Illinois than anywhere in the world, "The headquarters was historically in downstate Peoria, Ill., before a move to the Chicago suburb of Deerfield in 2017."

In a June 14 news release, Caterpillar announced their decision to move: "We believe it's in the best strategic interest of the company to make this move, which supports Caterpillar's strategy for profitable growth as we help our customers build a better, more sustainable world," said Chairman and CEO Jim Umpleby. Caterpillar has had a presence in Texas since the 1960s. The company will begin transitioning its headquarters to Irving this year.

According to Bloomberg: "The machinery producer believes the move will help it attract new talent and improve global access to its employees, customers and dealer network due to the two major airports in the region."