Jimmy John hints at leaving Illinois
Updated: September 28, 2012
SPRINGFIELD -- Jimmy John Liautaud, the owner of the famous sandwich
franchise, told business leaders he will personally move out of
Champaign next year, and his business could soon follow. Liautaud was a panelist at a convention in Chicago last week.
During the discussion, Liautaud told the group he is personally moving to Florida January 1. He said he is taking his licensing business with him. Then, Liautaud told the crowd, his business could be out of Illinois in the next two to four years, and could relocate to Indiana or Austin, Texas.
Liautaud has long threatened to leave the Illinois, especially after state leaders passed huge income and corporate tax increases last year. He told the crowd he doesn't mind paying taxes, but he doesn't support the way the government spends the money.
He said he runs his business much more cost-effectively. Jimmy Johns corporate office hadn't returned a call for comment late Thursday.
The state's economic development agency said Liautaud has made this threat before and never followed through with it. A DCEO spokesperson also said if Liautaud is getting offers from other states, he hasn't filed paperwork with Illinois detailing those offers. The rep says the state legally can't begin looking into tax incentives until he does.
During the discussion, Liautaud told the group he is personally moving to Florida January 1. He said he is taking his licensing business with him. Then, Liautaud told the crowd, his business could be out of Illinois in the next two to four years, and could relocate to Indiana or Austin, Texas.
Liautaud has long threatened to leave the Illinois, especially after state leaders passed huge income and corporate tax increases last year. He told the crowd he doesn't mind paying taxes, but he doesn't support the way the government spends the money.
He said he runs his business much more cost-effectively. Jimmy Johns corporate office hadn't returned a call for comment late Thursday.
The state's economic development agency said Liautaud has made this threat before and never followed through with it. A DCEO spokesperson also said if Liautaud is getting offers from other states, he hasn't filed paperwork with Illinois detailing those offers. The rep says the state legally can't begin looking into tax incentives until he does.
