The state agreed to the tax credits in exchange for Capital One hiring 210 new employees and retaining 900.

In exchange for more than $112 million in tax breaks, Amazon promised to expand its Illinois operations and hire 7,200 new employees in Aurora, Monee and Joliet.

As state debts mount and budget plans remain in limbo, Illinois lawmakers move to expand EDGE tax credits.

Illinois’ $1.3 billion in EDGE tax credits has brought in only 34,000 jobs since 2001, and has enabled politicians to hand out tax relief to select companies rather than lowering anti-growth taxes for all businesses.

After receiving incentives and abatements guaranteed by state and local taxpayer dollars, Amazon announces two new facilities in Aurora.

The expiration of the state’s EDGE program – which has given large companies more than $1 billion in tax credits the last 15 years – is good news for taxpayers and should encourage lawmakers to pass real reforms.