Walgreens To Add 500 Jobs

has committed to grow the number of jobs at its Wilmot Road corporate headquarters and nearby locations ten percent in the next three years adding 500 jobs to the local economy, according to a release from Gov. Patrick Quinn.

Walgreens already employs 5,000 people at its Deerfield campus and surrounding offices. It is the world’s largest drugstore chain.

In a partnership with the State of Illinois, Walgreens and Quinn described the Invest Illinois Initiative as a plan where the company will invest $75 million to expand and renovate more than 24 corporate offices throughout Chicagoland.

“Walgreens has deep roots in Illinois and is an important part of the region’s flourishing health care hub,” Quinn said in the release. “This expansion will create good paying jobs, attract additional investment to the area and help fuel our economic recovery.”

For the state’s part, Walgreens will receive tax credits tied to retaining 1,500 existing jobs as well as benefits based on job creation and capital improvement. This agreement is part of the company’s commitment to strengthening the area’s economy, according to CEO Greg Wasson.

“We are proud of our Illinois heritage,” Wasson said in the release. “Just as our stores and pharmacies are health and daily living anchors for the communities we serve, we as a company are now committed to serving as an economic anchor for northeastern Illinois.”

was happy to see a potential boon to the Lake County employment picture. According to Dold, unemployment in the county is above the national average.

“This is welcome news for the people of Illinois and the 10th District,” Dold said. “I believe that Congress and Springfield must work together to find common ground and create a positive business climate so that our local employers can best expand and create jobs.”

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