PEORIA – Congressman Darin LaHood (IL-18) released the following statement on Caterpillar's decision to relocate its headquarters from Illinois to Texas:

"Caterpillar's decision to move its headquarters from Illinois is deeply disappointing, as was its leadership's misguided decision to leave Peoria in 2017. The Greater Peoria Area and central Illinois remain the home to much of Caterpillar's workforce in Illinois, and this decision will leave many workers in our community with questions that deserve answers from Caterpillar's leadership. I will continue to work to ensure that Caterpillar's leadership keeps their commitment to Illinois' workforce and minimizes any repercussions this could have on our downstate communities.

"For nearly 100 years, Illinoisans have helped build Caterpillar into the company it has become, it is a part of our identity, and this move is a blow to our state. We need to change the trajectory of Illinois and work to provide a better business climate, more competitive tax policies, and more growth opportunities. Despite what Governor JB Pritzker and Illinois Democrats say, Illinois businesses and workers are over-taxed, over-regulated, and will be impacted by this move. Caterpillar's move should be a wake-up call for the Governor and Democratic legislature who have pushed for higher taxes, soft-on-crime policies, more regulations, and punished our energy sector."