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.

Gov. Bruce Rauner signed an extension of the EDGE tax credit program, though the program has an unsuccessful record of using taxpayer money.

Both chambers of Kentucky’s legislature have passed, and Gov. Matt Bevin has promised to sign, legislation bringing worker freedom to Kentucky – and further weakening Illinois’ regional economic competitiveness.

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.