Boeing To Move Headquarters Out Of Chicago To Suburban D.C

CHICAGO — Boeing will move its headquarters out of Chicago and east to suburban Washington, D.C., according to a published report which cited sources close to the situation.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the company will move from Chicago, where Boeing has been headquartered since 2001. The Wall Street Journal report said that company officials desire to be closer to the nation’s capital and in closer proximity to government contracts. The Journal reported that the major aerospace player will move its headquarters to Arlington, Virginia.

On Thursday, Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun confirmed the move and said the company is excited to move to its new Virginia home.

"The region makes strategic sense for our global headquarters given its proximity to our customers and stakeholders and its access to world-class engineering and technical talent," Calhoun said in a statement issued by the company.

Crain’s Chicago reported that none of the company’s leadership is from Chicago, and that the discussion of whether to pull up stakes has been discussed for more than a year.

Most of the company’s operational staff is in Washington, and Crain’s reported that Boeing only has about 400 employees working in Chicago. The company's current headquarters are located in a high-rise building overlooking the Chicago River in the West Loop.

Boeing officials said it would maintain a significant presence in Chicago despite moving its headquarters, which only represents a small portion of its overall operation, Calhoun said.

"We greatly appreciate our continuing relationships in Chicago and throughout Illinois," he said. "We look forward to maintaining a strong presence in the city and the state."

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot issued a statement Thursday that emphasized Chicago as being an attractive location for major business. The Mayor said that 173 corporations have relocated or expanded to the city over the past year and that Chicago remains "a major hub" for corporations that appreciate and value the city's diverse workforce, expansive infrastructure, and thriving economy."