Senate set to vote today on Sears, CME tax relief

Senate set to vote today on Sears, CME tax relief

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CME Group and suburban-based Sears are one step closer to getting the state tax breaks meant to persuade them to stay headquartered in Illinois.

On Monday the Illinois House approved a new tax relief package after it resoundingly rejected a similar measure last month. Now the House-endorsed plan moves to the Senate, where it’s scheduled to be voted on Tuesday.

The Senate approved a similar bill last month. Speaking last week, Senate President John Cullerton said he didn’t expect anything different this time around.

“We’ve already passed the bill with 36 votes, three-fifths vote in the Senate, bipartisan vote,” said Cullerton last week. “The House did not pass it, so when the House does what they should do, then we’ll react.”

After the House vote Monday, a spokesman for Cullerton said the senator is optimistic about the tax plan’s chances in the Senate.