CHICAGO (AP) — A spokesman for a former Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn says Gov. Bruce Rauner’s demand that a Chicago television and movie studio return a $10 million state grant was unnecessary.

Rauner issued the order after a published report the grant was awarded to Cinespace Chicago Film Studios for the purchase of land that wasn’t for sale.

However, Quinn spokesman William Morgan says the grant required the studio to return funds if the land couldn’t be purchased.

In a statement, Morgan said the grant was approved with the goal of attracting more productions to Chicago.

Cinespace Chicago is where “Chicago Fire” and “Empire” are filmed. It has until May 7 to return the grant under Rauner’s order. Under terms of the grant, Morgan said the studio was required to return unused funds by June 30.

 

 

 

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