Mayor Rahm Emanuel and AT&T Illinois President Paul La Schiazza announced AT&T’s plan to bring about 500 jobs to Chicago. This number adds to AT&T’s current Chicago workforce of more than 3,900 employees.
"This is an exciting development for AT&T and a big moment for the city of Chicago as well," said Mayor Emanuel. "AT&T sees what so many other companies see -- that the outstanding infrastructure and globally competitive workforce in the city offer a tremendous advantage in the marketplace. We welcome these new jobs to the city and look forward to the company's continued success."
AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet, voice and cloud-based services. AT&T yesterday announced it invested nearly $625 million in its Illinois wired and wireless networks in the first half of 2013.
“At AT&T, we love Chicago. From our flagship retail store on Michigan Avenue, to our investment in Chicago’s wireless and wired networks, to our philanthropy with Chicago charitable organizations, AT&T is investing for the future in Chicago,” said Paul La Schiazza, President, AT&T Illinois. “We’re excited to bring about 500 jobs into downtown Chicago. As a company on the cutting edge of wireless technology, we respect Mayor Emanuel’s vision for Chicago as a world leader in connectivity, and we’re proud to expand our presence in Chicago as we continue to deliver for our customers here.”
The plan would bring about 500 AT&T jobs to the company’s 225 West Randolph Street location in Chicago. That building is a Founding Participant of Retrofit Chicago’s Commercial Buildings Initiative launched by Mayor Emanuel in 2012 that promotes decreasing energy use and increasing efficiency.
Job growth is a key priority for Mayor Emanuel, with a particular focus on the technology sector. During his time as Mayor, more than 80 companies have announced job increases in Chicago, including 19 corporate headquarter relocations.
AT&T employs more than 14,000 employees in Illinois. The roughly 500 jobs transitioning into Chicago are currently based in the Chicago suburbs. This announcement is part of AT&T’s Chicagoland Workplace Transformation initiative, which recognizes that now more than ever wireless and wired internet technologies allow more people the ability to work flexibly. Additional details about that initiative will be announced later.
Job transition numbers are based on current estimates. As AT&T evaluates all options, the final transition numbers are subject to change.
*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.
About AT&T
AT&T Inc. is a premier communications holding company and one of the most honored companies in the world. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and internationally. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation’s largest 4G network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet, voice and cloud-based services. A leader in mobile Internet, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide of any U.S. carrier, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse® and AT&T │DIRECTV brands. The company’s suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world.
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