Amazon to open facility in Illinois, hire 1,000 employees in state

Amazon Inc. says it plans to open its first facility in Illinois next year in a move that would create 1,000 jobs.

The company made the announcement about the $75 million project on Tuesday. The jobs figure would be reached by 2017.

Paul Misener is Amazon's vice president for global public policy. He says Illinois has an "excellent workforce" and that the company is "excited" to find the right locations in the state, break ground and start hiring.

Amazon is the largest U.S. e-commerce retailer. It is based in Seattle.