By Gary Pitts/Associated Press
Springfield, IL – Thus far, there are no plans to close any Sears or Kmart locations in our region. Sears Holdings Corporation released a list today of 79 out of a possible 100-120 Sears and Kmarts that will be closed next year. The company cited poor holiday sales as a catalyst. The corporation expects to make around $150 million dollars from inventory sales at those stores. Illinois Governor Pat Quinn had expressed hope that Sears wouldn't close any of its Illinois locations given that the state just passed legislation giving the corporation around $15 million dollars in tax breaks to keep its headquarters in Chicago. No Illinois locations are listed among the 79 closings.