Google expanding finance division in Chicago, bringing hundreds of new jobs

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Google is bringing hundreds of new jobs to Chicago by expanding its finance division in the city.

The tech giant plans to add hundreds of new jobs in Chicago over the next two years. As part of its national expansion plan, Google selected Chicago as the new hub for its finance division.

The jobs will include accountants, financial planners and technology jobs related to financial planning.

Google already employs more than 1,000 people at its Midwest headquarters in the city's Fulton Market District and will double its workforce by the end of the year.

Most of Google's finance team is located on the West Coast, but Google says there is a lot of talent right here in Chicago.

"By the end of 2019, Google will have the capacity to have a substantial workforce based here in Chicago," said Rob Biederman of Google. "So what's exciting about that is you no longer have to go to the west coast for a career in technology. You can have a robust career in technology right here in Chicago."

"In a race to scour the world for talent, Chicago exceeds almost any other city in the United States and that's what they're investing in," Mayor Rahm Emanuel said.

The announcement of the Chicago office expansion was made during a ceremony to award $1 million dollars in grants to Illinois nonprofits as part of the Google.org Impact Challenge Illinois.

Meanwhile Google will start posting the jobs next month.