This announcement follows the airline’s 2009 decision to relocate its operational center, including 2,800 jobs, to Willis Tower—one of Chicago’s largest corporate relocations ever. United’s move brought management, administrative, accounting, IT and crew planning/daily operations jobs from the company’s former operational headquarters in Elk Grove Township. It is a continuation of an emerging trend--corporations migrating into the city.
United’s new offices have greatly improved the overall working environment for employees, creating an updated, technologically advanced, centrally located, and LEED certified workspace. After these latest positions are added, the company will have 4,000 workers here and occupy 12 floors of Willis Tower.
United’s is one of the largest job attraction projects in Chicago’s recent history and will have a significant impact in the city’s overall economy. An International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) study shows that each job brought into the city generates at least $7,249 annually per worker (adjusted for inflation) on expenditures including lunches, shoppers’ goods, convenience goods and dinner/drinks alone. This increased economic activity downtown benefits other local businesses, along with boosting the City’s tax revenues.
United’s global headquarters is also in the city at 77 W. Wacker Drive, where 630 employees currently work.
“United’s decision to bring its operations center to Chicago is a good example of a trend we are seeing that companies are choosing to locate downtown due to the city’s unmatched advantages,” said Rita Athas, executive director of World Business Chicago. “The Willis Tower offers United a central location with incomparable access to the region, nation and world. We are pleased that under Mayor Emanuel’s leadership the trend has not only continued but increased.”
World Business Chicago assisted United in the company’s relocation process by serving as a liaison between the City, their real estate representatives and United.
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