Walgreens Congratulates Illinois Governor Quinn for Signing Main Street Fairness Act

DEERFIELD, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Walgreens (NYSE:WAG) (NASDAQ:WAG) today congratulated Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn on his signing of the House Bill 3659, the Main Street Fairness Act, into law. The measure will require major online retailers to collect the state's 6.25 percent sales tax on all purchases made by Illinois residents. Prior to the bill’s passing, Illinois retailers were left at a competitive disadvantage, while the state lost millions of dollars in tax revenue annually.

“Governor Quinn has ensured that all Illinois retailers are operating on a level playing field with out-of-state online competitors”

“Governor Quinn has ensured that all Illinois retailers are operating on a level playing field with out-of-state online competitors,” said Mark Wagner, Walgreens president of community managment. “Illinois retailers are the backbone of the state’s economy and are vital components of Illinois communities. By signing HB 3659, Gov. Quinn has strengthened the Illinois retail industry and the communities we serve every day.”

About Walgreen Co.

Walgreens (www.walgreens.com) is the nation's largest drugstore chain with fiscal 2010 sales of $67 billion. The company operates 7,689 drugstores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Each day, Walgreens provides nearly 6 million customers the most convenient, multichannel access to consumer goods and services and trusted, cost-effective pharmacy, health and wellness services and advice in communities across America. Walgreens scope of pharmacy services includes retail, specialty, infusion, medical facility and mail service, along with respiratory services. These services improve health outcomes and lower costs for payers including employers, managed care organizations, health systems, pharmacy benefit managers and the public sector. Take Care Health Systems is a Walgreens subsidiary that is the largest and most comprehensive manager of worksite health centers and in-store convenient care clinics, with more than 700 locations throughout the country.