They just moved their top level corporate headquarters. They've merged so many companies into Boeing in the last several years that Seattle isn't central to their other operations especially defense related buisinesses. It was also to send a message to the Washington state legislature and labor unions that Boeing would be willing to locate manufacturing of new aircraft to other states if they weren't treated well.
That's interesting. I think people might still be debating why the move to Chicago. I never heard it said like that, but you might be right. The Company did offload most of its manufacturing already and has become a large scale integrator.
The disgraced former CEO who had an affair with a subordinate liked living in Chicago over Seattle. Not the reason they claimed, but likely the real one.
I thought it also had something to do with the state tax burden. Am I remembering incorrectly?