Pritzker touts EV plant in Normal, Bailey says taxpayers bear the burden

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says Rivian is the best electric vehicle maker in the world, but his Republican challenger says special tax breaks for multibillion-dollar companies don’t work.

The governor joined Rivian CEO R.J. Scaringe, state lawmakers and local officials at the R2 plant in Normal on Tuesday to highlight Illinois’ investments in EV manufacturing, infrastructure and workforce development.

“We’ve now created the conditions for companies like Rivian to choose to expand here in our state, to lay down their roots that benefit working families and all of our people,” Pritzker said.

Pritzker called Rivian “the best EV maker in the entire world.”

The Center Square asked Republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey about Rivian being offered $827 million in tax incentives over 30 years.

“We have to keep and attract business. There’s no doubt about that, but I think the history of Illinois proves that these special tax breaks, they simply don’t work, and we have got to focus on the people, the taxpayers of this state,” Bailey said.

Bailey said Boeing was offered tax incentives under former Republican Gov. George Ryan, but the company later packed up and moved out. Bailey also pointed to the recent departure of Morton Salt.

In addition to the $827 incentive deal for Rivian, the Illinois Department of Transportation provided an $11.5 million grant for a tunnel beneath U.S. Route 150 to connect the company’s manufacturing plant and supplier park.

Suppliers in the park also received support from state taxpayers.

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity awarded a $5 million career and technical education grant to Heartland Community College to create new manufacturing and technical career pathways connected to Rivian for local high school students.

Also in partnership with Heartland Community College, Illinois supported the creation of an EV manufacturing training academy.

Pritzker credited the Reimagining Energy and Electric Vehicles in Illinois Act, the Invest in Illinois Fund, and “massive” infrastructure upgrades and workforce investments for thousands of good-paying jobs.

“We are using every tool at our disposal to ensure that companies like Rivian and IBM and PsiQuantum and Double Black Diamond Solar have been able to build, invest and innovate here for the long term,” Pritzker said.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey said the people of Illinois are burdened with the highest state and local taxes in the nation.

“I have no problem bringing items like this to the table and trying to attract them to Illinois, but not at the cost of the taxpayer,” Bailey said.

Bailey said Pritzker’s taxpayer-subsidized projects actually create few jobs after the initial construction work.

Catrina Barker contributed to this story.