Quinn hopes Sears won’t close stores in Illinois

CHICAGO (AP) – Gov. Pat Quinn says it’s bad news that Sears Holdings Corp. plans to close up to 120 stores nationally after poor holiday sales. But he says the news doesn’t directly affect Sears’ agreement to keep its headquarters in Illinois.

Quinn says he hopes Sears won’t close stores in Illinois.

Sears’ decision to close stores was made public less than two weeks after Quinn signed legislation guaranteeing the company $15 million in tax breaks. The Hoffman Estates-based company had threatened to move its headquarters from the state.

Illinois Sen. Ira Silverstein says he feels betrayed by Sears. He says company officials should explain whether they knew about the potential store closings when lawmakers were considering the tax breaks.

Quinn and Silverstein spoke to reporters in Chicago after a Hanukkah event today.