Sears is reportedly considering moving its headquarters out of Illinois and North Carolina may be on the short list of potential new homes.

Sears Holding Corp., the parent of Sears and Kmart, has been in discussions with officials in North Carolina, Texas, Tennessee and New Jersey, reports the Daily Herald, a Chicago-area newspaper.

The company moved to its current headquarters in Hoffman Estates, Ill., from downtown Chicago more than two decades ago, and various state and local incentives are set to expire in 2012.

Part of the discussions with others states may simply be an effort to win an extension of property taxes and other financial assistance from Illinois and Hoffman Estates.