GE to create 160 tech jobs in Chicago area

CHICAGO (WLS) -- General Electric Co. has announced plans to create 160 Chicago-area jobs focused on digital advancements in transportation and health care.

GE announced Tuesday the selection of Chicago for the lead office of GE Transportation's Digital Solutions business, which will employ 100. GE also will create 60 jobs in its digital health care business in suburban Barrington.

The new jobs will include software engineers, software developers, data scientists, product analysts and project managers, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel's office said Tuesday.

The mayor's office also said GE plans to hold a job fair in Chicago at 550 W. Monroe next month to jumpstart hiring.

Emanuel called the decision "a tremendous vote of confidence" in the city's future.

Less than two months ago, the mayor's office said the $130 billion global industrial company decided to move GE Healthcare's global headquarters from London to Chicago.

GE announced in January it was relocating its headquarters from Fairfield, Connecticut, to Boston's Seaport District.

GE employs more than 2,000 in the Chicago area and had considered Chicago as its headquarters before deciding on Boston.

Boston offered the company up to $25 million in direct property tax relief and other incentives.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.