Amazon announced that it intends to create over 1,000 full-time jobs and $75 million in investment in Illinois. The company was joined by Governor Pat Quinn and Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) for the announcement.

Amazon says it is beginning site selection activities, and plans to open its first facility in the state in 2015. It also plans to begin creating new full-time jobs in the state next year and reaching at least 1,000 jobs in 2017.

“Today Illinois is leading the Midwest in job creation and Amazon will strengthen that growth by delivering 1,000 new jobs to our state,” Quinn said. “Illinois’ skilled workforce, world-class transportation system and educational institutions are second-to-none. Making the tough decisions is improving our economy and helping us attract new employers, but there’s more work to do. Together with great companies like Amazon growing and thriving in Illinois, we’ll build on this progress and create even more jobs.”

“With our top-notch transportation network and skilled workforce, Illinois has much to offer innovative companies seeking to expand their operations, especially those, like Amazon, seeking to better serve their customers in the most populous state in the Midwest,” said Durbin. “It’s been my pleasure to work closely with Amazon on my Marketplace Fairness Act and I couldn’t be more pleased that the company has chosen to make this substantial investment in our state, announcing 1,000 jobs with good benefits right off the bat and an opportunity to expand in the future.”

“We thank Governor Quinn and Senator Durbin for their leadership, and we’re thrilled to create in Illinois more than 1,000 full-time jobs and $75 million in investment,” said Paul Misener, Amazon vice president of global public policy. “The state of Illinois has an excellent workforce and we’re excited to roll up our sleeves and find the right locations, break ground, and start hiring.”

The state saw its seventh straight monthly decline in unemployment in September at 6.6%, which is the lowest it’s been in over six years.

Earlier this month, Amazon announced it will add 80,000 jobs across the United States, and will convert thousands of them to full-time positions eventually.

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