CEO Guide to Site Selection

Illinois

THE NEW TRILLIONAIRE STATE

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.

“Illinois’ greatest strength is its people—and we are committed to preparing our workforce for the jobs of the future.”
JB Pritzker
Governor

TAXES

0 %

top corporate income tax

# 0

on the Tax Foundation’s State Business Tax Climate Index ranking

EDUCATION

0 %

of students graduated high school in 2019

0 %

of adults age 25 and older have a bachelor’s degree or higher

UNEMPLOYMENT RATE

0 %

RIGHT TO WORK STATE

No

QUALITY OF LIFE

# 0

POPULATION GROWTH

0 %

increase between 2010 and 2020

KEY INCENTIVES

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.

EDCs

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

HIGHLIGHTED PROGRAM OR INITIATIVE

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.

BIG DEALS

  • Virginia-based Mars Wrigley announced in April 2022 a
  • $40 million investment and 30 new jobs in its Chicago facility on Goose Island.
  • Harvest Food Group announced in April 2022 construc- tion of a new facility in New City. The $60 million project will create 50 jobs.
  • Kellogg’s announced in June 2022 it was moving its snack division corporate headquarters from Battle Creek, Michigan, to Chicago’s River North.
  • New Jersey-based Ferrero North America announced in June 2022 a $214 million expansion at its chocolate pressing and product manufacturing plant in Bloomington.
  • Tyson Foods broke ground in August 2022 on a $180 million expansion project in Caseyville that is expected to create 250 jobs.
  • McDonald’s announced in September 2022 plans to expand its headquarters and create an additional innovation center in Chicago.

BIG COMPANIES

37 Fortune 500 companies headquartered in the state, including:

  • Walgreens Boots Alliance
  • State Farm Insurance Cos.
  • Archer Daniels Midland
  • AbbVie
  • Caterpillar
  • Allstate
  • Deere
  • Laboratories
  • Exelon
Roundtable

Strategic Planning Workshop

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:

  • Learn what you need to know to develop an effective strategic plan. Put the right players on the strategic planning team.
  • Develop strategies that leverage your company’s unique position in the marketplace. Lift your management team beyond “business as usual” thought processes and activities.
  • Translate your strategies into action. Achieve your vision for success and generate superior financial results.
  • Identify exactly what you need to do now to position your company for future success.

To sign up, select this option in your registration form. Additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.

New York, NY: ​​​Chief Executive's Corporate Citizenship Awards 2017

Women in Leadership Seminar and Peer Discussion

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.

To sign up, select this option in your registration form. Additional fee of $495 will be added to your total.

Golf Outing

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.

To sign up, select this option in your registration form. Additional fee of $295 will be added to your total.