Apr. 8, 2024 | One of the core values of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce is collaboration. It is in action daily as we work with pro-growth, pro-business, and pro-Illinois organizations across our state.

Chamber CEO, Lou Sandoval recently met with Intersect Illinois chair John Atkinson to identify points of collaboration between both organizations to develop a strong growth ecosystem for all Illinois businesses enroute to building Chamber2.0.

Apr. 10, 2024 | Sandoval Named to Pathway to Adventure Executive Board Lou Sandoval, President and CEO of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce was recently elected to the Executive Board of the Pathway to Adventure Council, Scouting America. A proud Eagle Scout, Mr. Sandoval credits his career trajectory to many of the life skills and career exploration he developed as a youth in the program. This is his second term as a member of the Executive Board, having served as Council Commissioner of the Chicago Area Council and then the Inaugural Council Commissioner for the Pathways Council. "I am a big believer in the benefits of the program in serving youth in our Country's larger cities," said Sandoval. "The Boy Scouts of America has a proven platform for developing leaders in both young men and young women. I look forward to growing its reach and influence. Chicago needs Scouting, now more than ever." 

Apr. 16, 2024 I The Illinois Chamber of Commerce would like to Congratulate and Welcome newly appointed World Business Chicago President and CEO, Phil Clement.

"We look forward to collaborating with Mr. Clement and Board Chair Charles Smith to grow our state's Business ecosystem," said Chamber President Lou Sandoval. "Chicago's economy and fostering pro-business policies are critical to our state's continued vitality." 

Welcome, Mr. Clement!

June 19, 2024 | Thank you to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce for hosting Illinois Chamber President & CEO Lou Sandoval and Illinois Environmental Regulatory Group (IERG), Executive Director Kelly T. recently at their PFAS Summit in Washington, DC.

Many businesses support an environmentally friendly approach to business growth , however there is a need to provide balanced policy making that is backed with rigorous scientific facts. “One-size fits all” Per/polyflouroalkyl (PFAS) legislation has the potential to create economic reverberations in the manufacturing sector for the Automotive, Aerospace, Electronics, Chemical Processes, Medical/Healthcare and Building markets.

Apr. 10, 2024 | Illinois Chamber President and CEO Lou Sandoval joined Business Leadership Council CEO Arielle Johnson, MPA in delivering the Keynote address at the 2nd Annual Pathways to Cook County Government Summit at University of Illinois Chicago.

President Sandoval spoke to the need for businesses of all sizes to think strategically and diversify their growth plan which feeds the resilience of their business. The event drew over 1200 businesses, chambers of commerce and government agencies under one roof to provide equitable access to contracting and business opportunities under one roof.

Thank you to President Toni Preckwinkle for your leadership in developing this opportunity for the businesses of Cook county! 

Apr. 23, 2024 | Thank you to the West Suburban Chamber of Commerce and Industry, for inviting Chamber President and CEO Lou Sandoval to participate in a panel discussion at your legislative breakfast. He served alongside Senate Republican Leader John Curran, Rep. La Shawn K Ford, and WTTW/Chicago PBS Amanda Vinicky. Moderated by Thom M. Serafin, It was a great session with many insightful questions about the issues facing business in Illinois. 

May 7, 2024 | Illinois Chamber President Lou Sandoval provided the keynote speech to kick off DePaul Driehaus College of Business 4th Annual DePaul Supply Chain Management Society Forum.

DePaul’s graduate level program provides world-class experience in the supply chain hub of the Midwest. The Chicagoland forum attracts supply chain thought leaders from a variety of industries and some of the areas top companies.

Thank you DePaul University and Professor Nezih Altay for inviting President Sandoval to kick off the forum! 

June 26, 2024 | We are thankful to the Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce & Industry for partnering with us and several other chambers to host the State of Illinois Business Breakfast featuring Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs, Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias and Illinois Chamber CEO Lou Sandoval. While Secretary Giannoulis was not able to join us due to last-minute schedule changes, Director of Business Services, Secretary of State Kimberly Hill was able to update the over 170 attendees on the important work going on in the SOS.

Thank you to everyone, it was an informative session with much great work going on throughout the state. There are many opportunities to provide balanced advocacy for the various businesses and industry sectors to ensure that we retain a viable business climate for all businesses large and small.

A very special thanks to our moderator M. Eileen Brown who did a wonderful job and to Andrea Biwer and Laurie Silvey, IOM, CAE for your leadership in coordinating the event, logistics and location.

Apr. 2, 2024 | In October 2023, The Chicago City Council passed a city ordinance that calls for the start of a five-year phase-out of the Tips Wage Credit beginning July 1, 2024.

In the Illinois General Assembly, current HB5345 creates a similar statute at the state level. While the intentions are noble, the Illinois Chamber of Commerce stands with our fellow business organizations to oppose this bill. Its impact on tip wage workers and small businesses will result in further negative economic impact on small businesses via increased labor costs and cost workers via reduced employment.

Apr. 8, 2024 | Andrew Cunningham provided a legislative presentation to the Public Affairs Reporting (PAR) class at U of I Springfield. Each PAR student is placed with a publication covering statehouse activities with countless graduates of the program going on to have successful state political journalism.

May 30, 2024 | The Illinois Chamber of Commerce Statement on the Final Bill of the Spring 2024 Legislative Session. 

Apr. 24, 2024 | IL Chamber's Director of Legislative Relations Andrew Cunningham alongside U.S. Chamber's Senior Manager, Gov't Affairs Ryan Gleason had the privilege to provide a legislative presentation at the Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce lunch and learn. It was a strong and engaged crowd! Thank you, Kris Noble for all that you do for businesses in your region. 

Apr. 9, 2024 | The Illinois Chamber of Commerce is proud to stand with our fellow business organizations, Illinois Restaurant Association, Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association, Illinois Retail Merchants Association, Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce and many others to work with Rep. Lisa Hernandez on HB 5345 (Tipped Wage Act). If passed, HB5345 would drive up costs for businesses with tipped employees, adversely impacting wages and employment.

This bill is truly a solution in search of a problem. Let’s not take the issues created in Chicago and make them a statewide problem for businesses.

Apr. 18, 2024 | Cunningham provided a legislative update to Greater St. Louis Inc. during their annual lobby day in Springfield.

June 4, 2024 | Cunningham provided an end-of-session legislative recap to the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce.

May 9, 2024 | Next Generation of Agriculture Technology - Illinois Chamber CEO Lou Sandoval had the opportunity to tour the latest line of advanced AG Equipment from Chamber member John Deere at their “AG on the Mall” display in Washington, DC.

With a gross impact of over $51.1B to the state’s economy, Agriculture and affiliated tech is BIG business. The S7 900 Combine with CF12 folding Corn Head is built in Moline, IL. John Deere supports 8,000 jobs in our state, and the production line for the S7 900 combine alone delivers $1.7B in Tax revenue to the state. The Sprayer from GUSS Automation is a JV with John Deere that provides a safe, sustainable way to hydrate crops or deliver additives and being fully automated delivers on key workforce augmentation to deal with shortages in AG labor.

The Future of AG is Here!  

May 13, 2024 | Illinois Chamber meets with Senators Durbin and Senator Duckworth.

Chamber CEO Lou Sandoval met with the Illinois Senate delegation to discuss transportation and defense appropriations to Illinois and garnered support for foreign partnership investments and workforce impact issues in Illinois.

May 2, 2024 | Laurie Silvey, IOM, CAE, Vice President of Business Services for the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, promoted membership benefits during the IL SHRM Conference in Oak Brook Terrace this week. Thank you for inviting us! 

June 25, 2024 | Infrastructure Council Exec. Director Andrew Cunningham had the pleasure of representing the Chamber at the groundbreaking of the 143rd Street East Extension in Plainfield. The 143rd St East Extension involves the construction of a new road between IL 59 and IL 126 as well as a new bridge over the DuPage River. This project has been recognized by the Federal Highway Administration, Illinois Department of Transportation, Will County, and the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning(CMAP) as a critical component for regional mobility.

Over a decade in the making, this project has been supported by the Chamber and many of our statewide business association partners. Congratulations to the Village of Plainfield, Chamber member Crawford, Murphy & Tilly, and the numerous local, state, and federal partners that helped get this project underway. Anticipated for Fall 2025, We look forward to its successful completion!

May 9, 2024 | Keith Staats, Executive Director of the Illinois Chamber's Tax Institute, testified before the House Revenue and Finance Committee alongside State Representative Amy Elik and Chamber Member Todd Bringuet with Ace Sign Company on HB 4669, legislation that establishes small business asset purchase savings accounts.

May 22, 2024 | Infrastructure Council Director Andrew Cunningham joined the Illinois State Freight Advisory Council (ISFAC) for a tour of the ILLINOIS INTERNATIONAL PORT DISTRICT in Chicago.

The group received a presentation on the port's governing structure, master plan, and current business opportunities from IIPD Executive Director, Erik Varela. Varela then led the group on a tour highlighting major areas of operations. Thank you to Illinois Department of Transportation for organizing the trip and thank you to Executive Director Varela for taking time out of your day to show the inner workings of the Port.

June 25, 2024 | Illinois Chamber President Lou Sandoval and Andrew Cunningham, Executive Director Infrastructure Council recently joined Illinois Environmental Regulatory Group (IERG) at their recent Industry Summit in Chicago at the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) offices. There were various Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Directors from Region 5 in attendance to provide insight on the many issues they are working on.

It was a great opportunity to advocate for the various businesses in Illinois that would like a seat at the table in the formation of Environmental polices that may have negative impact to jobs and revenue. Much like a diverse sector of NGO’s have ample leeway to provide input, a diverse range of business interests need a seat at the table in discussions on policy formation. This was the first step of many in providing balance in the conversation toward an Illinois with a bright environmental friendly future.

It was great to see chamber members such as Ameren, ADM and fellow state organizations such as Chemical Industry Council of Illinois and many others.