In October 2022, data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis at the U.S. Department of Commerce found Illinois now produces more than $1 trillion in economic activity. This makes the state only the fifth U.S. state to reach the milestone, behind California, New York, Texas and Florida. Economic development officials credit this success to infrastructure investments, high educational attainment, robust spending and access to business capital. Manufacturing remains the largest industry here, contributing more than $132 billion to the state economy annually. Food and agriculture are also growing, with Kellogg’s, Mars Wrigley, McDonald’s and Tyson Foods all announcing expansions in the past year.
EDGE (Economic Development for a Growing Economy): Offers tax incentives to encourage companies to locate or expand operations when there is active consideration of a competing location in another state.
Enterprise Zone Program: Offers state and local tax incentives, regulatory relief and improved governmental services to stimulate economic growth and neighborhood revitalization in economically depressed areas of the state.
Employer Training Investment Program: Offers grants to reimburse new or expanding companies of up to $500 for the cost of training their employees.
High Impact Business Program: For large-scale economic development projects located outside of eligible enterprise zone areas, Illinois offers a number of applicable tax incentives, such as sales tax exemption on building materials and utilities. To qualify, businesses must create at least 500 full-time jobs and make a minimum capital investment of $12 million or retain 1,500 jobs and invest $30 million.
Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
illinois.gov/dceo/Pages/default.aspx
Intersect Illinois
intersectillinois.org
World Business Chicago
worldbusinesschicago.com
Together Chicago
togetherchicago.com/economic-development
Rebuild Illinois, a bipartisan infrastructure plan, has been in force for the last three years and just had its last dollars of the program announced. The $1.5 billion investment has helped counties, municipalities and town- ships address their transportation needs and modernize broadband, universities, innovation hubs and more.
37 Fortune 500 companies headquartered in the state, including:
Chief Executive Group exists to improve the performance of U.S. CEOs, senior executives and public-company directors, helping you grow your companies, build your communities and strengthen society. Learn more at chiefexecutivegroup.com.
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1:00 - 5:00 pm
We are in a period of rapid change. Customer needs, technologies, competitors and internal capabilities require companies to review and update their strategies for the new realities. In this workshop, strategy experts Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison will show you a systematic approach to strategic planning to help you refine or redefine your business strategy and approach including:
2:00 - 5:00 pm
Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations.
Limited space available.
10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS
General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.
The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.
