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Congressman Jackson Urges Olympia Fields Jewel-Osco to Seek State Aid; Remain Committed to Chicago Southland


Washington, DC—(ENEWSPF)—July 7, 2011. Congressman Jesse L. Jackson Jr. today sent a letter to the President of Jewel-Osco urging the grocery store and pharmacy giant to seek state assistance in order to keep its Olympia Fields store open.  The company announced last week plans to close the 23-year-old store.

Jackson said he is confident that good economic news is coming to the Southland and that Jewel-Osco should reverse its recent decision to close the store serving residents of Olympia Fields, Park Forest, Chicago Heights and Matteson.

In an open letter to Jewel-Osco President Brian Huff, the congressman wrote: “Governor Quinn has stated his intention to build a new airport in the south suburbs and other infrastructure projects, all of which will reinvigorate the local economy.”

Jackson noted that the airport alone will “create 15,000 new jobs, thus strengthening the local economy, tax base and Jewel’s customer base  for decades.” He also noted that Southland residents “anxiously await the governor’s final decision” on the new airport.

The congressman also suggested that Jewel-Osco seek state assistance to keep the store open.

“The State has provided $330 million in incentives to Illinois companies under Governor Quinn, but only 1 percent of that, or $3.4 million, went to the south suburbs. Jewel-Osco can make a strong case that Illinois should do more to help the Southland and that the iconic Illinois-based Jewel-Osco is a worthy recipient of state aid.”

The open letter was sent to Jewel-Osco today.

July 7, 2011

Mr. Brian W. Huff

President

Jewel-Osco

150 Pierce Road, Suite 200

Itasca, Illinois 60143

Dear Mr. Huff:

I write to respectfully ask Jewel-Osco to reconsider its decision to close the Olympia Fields store which serves your customers from Olympia Fields, Park Forest, Matteson and Chicago Heights.

Jewel-Osco is a mainstay and cornerstone in every community it serves and the company’s decision to leave Olympia Fields, a upper-middle class suburb, could send an irreversible and  negative signal to other top retailers who are invested, or considering investing, in the Southland.

As you know, I have worked for years to bring economic development to the Chicago Southland and I truly believe we are on the verge of seeing an economic renaissance here. Governor Quinn has stated his intention to build a new airport in the south suburbs and other infrastructure projects, all of which will reinvigorate the local economy. I am expecting an announcement soon from Gov. Quinn on the airport, and I urge you to call the governor and express your support for it as well. That project alone will create 15,000 new jobs, thus strengthening the local economy, tax base and Jewel’s customer base  for decades.  Recently, the airport developers provided Governor Quinn with $700 million in guarantees to build the airport. The project is all but “a go” as we anxiously await the governor’s final decision.

As for your store, I know that the Village of Olympia Fields and Cook County have worked closely with Jewel-Osco to find incentives.  I applaud everyone’s efforts.  I would urge you now to also contact the State of Illinois for any assistance it can offer. A recent study showed that the State has provided $330 million in incentives to Illinois companies under Governor Quinn, but only 1 percent of that, or $3.4 million, went to the south suburbs. (See enclosure.)  Jewel-Osco can make a strong case that Illinois should do more to help the Southland and that the iconic Illinois-based Jewel-Osco is a worthy recipient of state aid.

I know Jewel-Osco is committed to other Southland locations, and I thank you for that.  But today I am imploring you to also remain committed to your loyal, longtime customers from Olympia Fields, Park Forest, Matteson and Chicago Heights – and to reach out to Governor Quinn for state assistance.

 If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact me or my Chief of Staff, Mr. Rick Bryant, at (708) 798-6000.

Sincerely,

Jesse L. Jackson, Jr.

Member of Congress

Source: Representative Jackson


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