In this Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017, file photo, producer Dick Wolf attends TV Guide Magazine's "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" 400th episode celebration, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)
CHICAGO (AP) --
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed legislation extending tax credits for film production through 2026, a move he says will attract more industry jobs to the state.
The incentives, which give companies 30% tax credits on production costs and on salaries up to $100,000, were set to expire in 2021.
Dick Wolf, the producer of three television shows filmed in Chicago, was at Thursday's bill signing and said he was "vastly relieved."
Wolf said he wants "Chicago Fire," ''Chicago P.D." and "Chicago Med" to be on the air as long as his earlier creations. "Law & Order" ran for 20 seasons, and "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" is entering its 21st season.
Wolf said he previously told Pritzker that "if the tax credit goes, we have to go."
Pepsi soft drinks in plastic bottles are on sale at a grocery store in New York on Weds., Nov. 15, 2023. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey, File)
PepsiCo confirmed Friday that it's ending some of its diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, even as rival Coca-Cola voiced support for its own inclusion efforts.
In a memo sent to employees, PepsiCo CEO Ramon Laguarta said the company will no longer set goals for minority representation in its managerial roles or supplier base. The company will also align its sponsorships to events and groups that promote business growth, he said.
Laguarta wrote that inclusion remains important to PepsiCo, whose brands include Gatorade, Lay's potato chips, Doritos, Mountain Dew as well as Pepsi. The Purchase, New York-based company's chief diversity officer will transition to a broader role focused on employee engagement, leadership development and ensuring an inclusive culture, he said.
Since President Donald Trump returned to the White House last month, U.S. government agencies, companies and schools have rushed to reevaluate policies and programs they adopted with the goal of reducing discrimination against members of minority groups, women and LGBTQ+ people.
Trump ended DEI programs within the federal government and has warned schools to end DEI programs or risk losing federal money.
PepsiCo's rollback came as Coca-Cola reaffirmed support for its DEI efforts.
In its annual report, Atlanta-based Coke warned that its business could be negatively affected if it is unable to attract employees that reflect its broad range of customers.
"Failure to maintain a corporate culture that fosters innovation, collaboration and inclusion … could disrupt our operations and adversely affect our business and our future success," the company said.
Coca-Cola has set a goal of having women in 50% of its senior leadership roles by... Read More
