Boeing Gets Red Carpet Ride in Chicago

CHICAGO-After getting the literal and figurative red-carpet treatment the previous day, Boeing Co. officials continued their tour of Downtown office possibilities as well as suburban space Thursday for a possible relocation of 500 executives to the market. Besides three West Loop locations, Boeing officials are touring sites in north suburban Bannockburn, northwest suburban Schaumburg and west suburban Westmont. Officials in northwest suburban Elgin reportedly were told they were out of the running.

While Boeing officials remain tight-lipped about where the market ranks in comparison to competitors Dallas/Fort Worth and Denver, the high-powered civic and political leaders forming the welcoming committee continue to refrain from any city-suburban tug-of-war. Any boasting was regional in scope as the committee put its best foot forward, treating the Boeing team to dinner Wednesday night at the Art Institute.

“Chicago and Illinois are very tough to beat,” says Gov. George Ryan. “Denver? Dallas? Give me a break.”