Illinois tax breaks could trigger demand for more

Experts on economic development say other companies are likely to demand financial incentives of their own. Companies also may play states against each other to get better deals.

View full sizeAssociated Press Protesters are seen in the gallery trying to disrupt tax break legislation debate in the Illinois House of Representative during session at the Illinois State Capitol on Monday.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- Illinois lawmakers have approved tax breaks meant to protect thousands of jobs in the state at Sears and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.

Now they face another question: Who's next?

Experts on economic development say other companies are likely to demand financial incentives of their own. Companies also may play states against each other to get better deals.

The Illinois Senate on Tuesday approved legislation granting about $100 million in tax relief for Sears Holdings Corp., CME Group and CBOE Holdings.

The $330 million overall package also includes tax breaks for other Illinois businesses and for poor and middle-class families.