Industrial Business Says Goodbye To Illinois, Reopens In Indiana
(CBS) – A longtime business owner moved his highly profitable manufacturing company out of suburban Chicago to East Chicago, Ind.
CBS 2's Marissa Bailey was there for Thursday's grand opening.
"I wish I would've figured it out 20 years ago. We would've saved $40 million or $50 million," says Marty Flaska.
His Hoist Liftruck had been a fixture in Bedford Park, Ill. for years. But last year, the company president decided doing business in the state was just too expensive.
"Worker comp in Cook County is unmanageable. Property taxes are unmanageable," Flaska says.
He moved the company to East Chicago, Ind., creating hundreds of jobs and improving work conditions with a larger facility and saving $6 million upfront, he says.
"We've seen a number of companies that have moved not only from Illinois but from other states to come to the Hoosier state because of our low taxes, because of our great workforce," Gov. Mike Pence said.
Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner called the move "unfortunate," citing workers compensation laws as a problem.
Trevor Warren lives in Wheaton, Ill. and added an additional 20 minutes to his commute. But he says it's worth it.
"I've been working for Marty for a long time and I wasn't about to let the move ruin that relationship," Warren says.
CBS 2 has learned there are at least six companies from Illinois are considering moves to East Chicago.
