Gov. Pat Quinn believes Caterpillar Inc.'s decision to bypass Illinois as it looks to build a new plant and relocate some of its Japanese operations was based almost entirely on Illinois' lack of ocean access and had little to do with the state's business climate.

The Peoria-based manufacturer said this week that it decided against the almost one-dozen Illinois locations vying for the plant because of both logistical concerns and the concerns about doing business in the state.

During Thursday stop at the University of Illinois, Quinn said he spoke with Caterpillar CEO Doug Oberhelman before this week's decision and was told the plant needed easy access to a deep-sea port.

Caterpillar has said it will pick a location for the plant and about 1,400 jobs by April 1.