The ridesharing company Uber says it wants to bring more than 400 jobs to Chicago. But that could hinge on a bill in Springfield.
Uber executive Andrew MacDonald says the company is expanding its Chicago office and adding 420 jobs by 2016.
"Thanks to the brave veto of Gov. Quinn of a statewide anti-ridesharing bill just a few weeks ago," said MacDonald.
That bill would have regulated companies like Uber. And it passed with overwhelming majorities in both the House and Senate - majorities big enough to override Quinn’s veto.
The governor says that’s not going to happen:
"We’ll put together a mighty majority in favor of what I did," said Quinn.
But MacDonald wouldn’t promise the planned expansion would survive a veto override.
"Like any business we’ll make our plans on the go," said MacDonald.
Taxi groups say rideshare services endanger passengers because they’re not bound to the same safety standards as the taxi industry. They will be pushing legislators to override the governor’s veto in November.