Illinois tries to woo Amazon

Two top Illinois Democrats urged Amazon on Thursday to reconsider Chicago for possible expansion after the company scrapped plans for a new headquarters in New York City.

The Chicago Tribune reported that Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emmanuel explained in a one-page letter that Chicago has the workforce, transportation hubs and universities necessary to support Amazon should it decide to add operations in the Windy City.

“You should take another look at Chicago,” the letter said. “We will be happy to bring you back.”

The city was previously a finalist for Amazon’s HQ2, though the company announced last month it would split its new headquarters between New York City and Northern Virginia.

The Tribune reported that Amazon already employs more than 12,000 people in Illinois, including a few hundred based in Chicago.