Durbin, Duckworth Urge Boeing CEO To Maintain Strong Presence In Chicago

05.12.22

Durbin, Duckworth Urge Boeing CEO To Maintain Strong Presence In Chicago

Today's letter comes after Boeing's surprise announcement that the company's headquarters will leave Chicago

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) sent a letter to Boeing President and CEO David Calhoun requesting a meeting following Boeing's announcement on May 5 that the company will relocate its global headquarters from Chicago to Arlington, Virginia. In the letter, the Senators emphasize the impact Boeing's relocation would have on Illinois' economy. Currently, Boeing's headquarters, which has been in Chicago since 2001, employs about 500 Illinoisans.

"We write to express our disappointment with the surprise May 5 announcement that Boeing will move its global headquarters from Chicago. The abrupt nature of such a relocation-which will have a troubling impact on jobs and the local economy-is particularly frustrating given a more than twenty-year positive relationship," Durbin and Duckworth wrote.

The Senators went on to remind Calhoun of support from every level of government that has built an ideal home for Boeing's headquarters while employing Illinois' skilled workforce.

They continued, "With thousands of employees statewide and deep ties across the commercial and federal aerospace sectors, we are committed to working together to protect Illinois jobs and Illinois workers. As such, we request a meeting with you to further discuss your promise to maintain a strong presence in Chicago and throughout Illinois per your May 5 statement."

Last week, Durbin and Duckworth expressed their disappointment in Boeing's announcement. In 2001, Durbin initiated two letters to then-Boeing Chairman and CEO Philip Condit when the company announced plans to leave the Seattle area and highlighted Chicago as a potential new home, including a bipartisan letter that was signed by 17 Illinois members of Congress.

Full text of the letter is available here and below:

May 12, 2022

Dear Mr. Calhoun,

We write to express our disappointment with the surprise May 5 announcement that Boeing will move its global headquarters from Chicago. The abrupt nature of such a relocation-which will have a troubling impact on jobs and the local economy-is particularly frustrating given a more than twenty-year positive relationship.

In Illinois and Chicago, every level of government worked to ensure an ideal home for Boeing's headquarters. Multiple federal, state, and local commitments helped build a strong, skilled Illinois workforce and ensure the success of Boeing's in-state operations. With thousands of employees statewide and deep ties across the commercial and federal aerospace sectors, we are committed to working together to protect Illinois jobs and Illinois workers.

As such, we request a meeting with you to further discuss your promise to maintain a strong presence in Chicago and throughout Illinois per your May 5 statement.

We look forward to speaking with you. Thank you for your consideration of this request.

Sincerely,

-30-

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