Chicago City Wire

At least one Illinois business expert says Chicago has put together a package Amazon can't resist.

John Haber, the founder and CEO of Spend Management Experts, said that from what he has seen, Chicago is in the perfect position to land the online retailer's second location.

“I would call it a top-five package out of the cities that are bidding for the headquarters,” Haber told Dan Proft and Amy Jacobson, hosts of "Chicago’s Morning Answer" radio show. “They’ve put together over $2 billion in projected tax incentives as well as proposed 10 sites for possible locations within Chicago.” 

Seattle-based Amazon announced earlier this month that it is seeking a second headquarters outside of the city.

Proft is a principal of Local Government Information Services, which owns this publication.

Amazon is being courted by 43 states and 238 cities in North America, as well as Puerto Rico, Mexico and Canada.

Haber said he’d be surprised if Amazon chose a location outside the United States. He also believes that proximity to public transportation and a good talent pool near the proposed sites in Chicago will be a factor in Amazon’s decision.

“The talent pool within the vicinity of all the locations is very strong, and so I think it’s going to come down to what’s the best environment for the Amazon headquarters,” Haber said.

The fiscal topography of Illinois will also play a role in Amazon’s decision. 

“That’s one of the negatives that Illinois and Chicago specifically have going against them is the financial condition of the state and the city,” Haber said. 

In fact, Haber questions how offering $2 billion in tax incentives to Amazon will be received by the public when the state is drowing in debt. He said the benefits should become apparent in time.

“It’s going to bring lots of jobs, and it’s going to bring a lot of growth, and it’s going to be a great thing for the city and over the long term," he said. "I think the financial situation within Chicago and Illinois is a negative in the decision-making process for Amazon.”

According to Crain’s Chicago Business, Chicago ranks second out of 35 cities competing for Amazon's HQ2. Other major cities competing include Atlanta, Dallas, Boston, Denver and Detroit.