Illinois governor disappointed in Caterpillar CEO's claims

CHICAGO (AP) - Gov. Pat Quinn is defending the state's economic climate for business after published comments by Caterpillar's CEO which claimed Illinois hasn't done enough to attract and keep business.

Quinn said Sunday that the comments from Doug Oberhelman were disappointing.

The head of the Peoria-based heavy equipment maker wrote a Sunday column in The Chicago Tribune claiming Illinois hasn't done what's needed to balance its budget and Illinois is among the most expensive states for workers' compensation rates

Caterpillar decided days ago to bypass Illinois for building a new plant and jobs as it relocates some operations from Japan.

Quinn says the state passed workers' compensation reform this year that will save the businesses of Illinois at least a half billion dollars a year in workers' compensation premium every year.