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HANNIBAL, MO (AP) -- UPDATED: January 13 at 6:09 p.m.

Since the tax hike in Illinois, businesses might start looking across the river.

Governors of Wisconsin and Indiana are already trying to get people to relocate there.

We spoke with Northeast Missouri Economic Development executive director George Walley.

He said he won't be recruiting businesses.

Businesses have called him in the past about coming to the Hannibal area.

"You don't want people making haphazard business decisions but we also want to grow. We want to grow over here on the Marion County side and state decisions like this help us in our marketing activities," said NEMO Economic Development Executive Director George Walley.

UPDATED: January 13 at 12:30 p.m.

KHQA's Lindsey Boetsch talked to George Walley Thursday afternoon and he said that this has happened before. In the past NEMO Development has received phone calls from businesses when government has gone off the beaten path.

Walley also said that this might be a tipping point for some businesses, however, won't be seeking out businesses to bring to Missouri.

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Missouri business and government officials hope to capitalize on a neighboring state's decision to raise taxes.

Illinois legislators voted Wednesday to increase personal income taxes 66 percent and raise corporate taxes to help close a budget hole that could hit $15 billion.

The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry says it's looking for ways to help  Missouri take advantage of Illinois' tax increases.

And Missouri lawmakers see potential to attract new businesses.

House Republican Denny Hoskins, of Warrensburg, says the Illinois  tax increases could help Missouri recruit new companies. A House committee Wednesday took up Hoskins' bill to offer small businesses a tax deduction for hiring new employees.

One international company based in Quincy is already making moves to potentially move out of the state.

"We have kept our headquarters in Quincy, but since they have passed this, we are going to put a team together to move our corporate headquarters. You have to do that," said Morry Taylor, the CEO of Titan Wheel International. "They haven't solved the problem. They're going to still have a problem.You shouldn't have state employees unionized. How to create jobs? Hell, the state is a joke. The politicians are the biggest joke and for all the folks who voted for the man? Think now. I like Quinn as a man, but a school teacher to run the state? Maybe people will wake up. I bet Boeing and Caterpillar and ADM are rethinking their decision."

Pam Thurman says on our Facebook page, "Businesses WILL move out of IL! I agree with David Foote that a higher sales tax is the answer. In Chicago area, it is nothing to pay 9.25-9.5% sales tax. Quincy, IL is 7.75%. Sales tax applies to everyone also. It is more FAIR!"

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