IL Chamber Advocacy | Winter 2023

Dec. 6, 2023 | The Effingham County Chamber and the Illinois Chamber held a special luncheon honoring Lou Sandoval, the recently appointed President and CEO of the Illinois Chamber. The event was on Wednesday, December 6, 2023.

Nov. 30, 2023 | “What you’re going to see in this chapter of the Chamber is a very member-oriented organization that looks at what the businesses of today need. Advocacy is a very important component of that, but I think what you’re going to see is an extension above and beyond what the Chamber has done in the past," said Illinois Chamber President and CEO Lou Sandoval.

Dec. 6, 2023 I Illinois Chamber President and CEO Lou Sandoval took to the road for dinner and breakfast meetings in Mt. Vernon, IL with the wonderful members of the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce.

Nov. 30, 2023 | It was a busy first week for Illinois Chamber President and CEO Lou Sandoval. On Tuesday, November 30^th, Lou sat down with Ben Szalinski from The Daily Line to explain how his past experiences will set him up to be a strong voice for the Illinois business community. #VoiceofIllinoisBusiness #BetterTogether

Dec. 4, 2023 | Illinois Chamber President and CEO Lou Sandoval spoke with Dave Dahl of WTAX on how his prior work experience gave him a unique perspective to serve in this new role.

Dec. 6, 2023 | Illinois Chamber President and CEO Lou Sandoval's final tour stop was at Hanson Professional Services Inc. in Springfield Wednesday night. Thank you, Jeff Ball and the entire Hanson team for arranging this event!

Oct. 12, 2023 | Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Clark Kaericher spoke on a BIPAbuzz panel at the Security Innovation Hub in Chicago and was joined by Congressman Bill Foster and Jake Parker from the Security Industry Association.

Thank you to Doug OGorden, aka Dr. BIPA, for the invitation to speak on this critical subject for our state's businesses.

Oct. 18, 2023 | The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Legal Reform hosted its 2023 Annual Summit in Washington DC. Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, Clark Kaericher had the privilege to attend and represent the Illinois Chamber at both the Summit and a gathering of state partners from across the country.

Oct. 20, 2023 | At the Southern Illinois Regional Luncheon, Illinois Chamber's SR. VP of Gov't Affairs, Clark Kaericher, presented a veto session preview and explained the new UHC Level Funded Community Chamber insurance program to all attendees. We appreciate the invitation to spend time with so many great local Chambers! 

Oct. 10, 2023 I

Illinois Chamber Director of Legislative Relations, Andrew Cunningham provided a veto session preview to members of the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce.

Oct. 17, 2023 | The Illinois Chamber and ISIA - Illinois Self-Insurers Association have jointly kicked off the Annual Workers' Compensation & Safety Conference!

It is a privilege to welcome Mike Singletary as our keynote speaker this year! Thank you, Mike Singletary, for sharing your life experience as a pro football player and what it takes to be a great leader.

We appreciate everyone who attended Tuesday's Workers' Compensation Conference hosted by the Illinois Chamber and ISIA! Without our sponsors, staff, exhibitors, and guests, this day would not be possible! We hope to see you again next year!

Oct. 30, 2023 | Keith Staats, executive director of the Illinois Chamber, delivered a speech at the Chicago Tax Club's fall seminar on Illinois' sales tax exemptions and exclusions. Thank you for having us!

Oct. 10, 2023 | Check out IL Chamber's Executive Director of the Tax Institute Keith Staats' most recent column in the Illinois CPA Society's Insight magazine!

Oct. 31, 2023 | In the article, Chamber’s Executive Director of Tax Institute Keith Staats comments on this disturbing and unnecessary trend in state tax.  

Nov. 8, 2023 | Keith Staats, Chamber's Tax Institute Executive Director, spoke at the Illinois Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (IACCE)'s Fall Conference. All attendees were given an Illinois legislative update by Staats.

Clark Kaericher, Chamber's Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, presented during a breakout session on how BIPA affects Illinois businesses. Kaericher emphasized the necessity of ensuring your business is in compliance with this mandate.

Kirsten McDevitt, Chamber’s Business Services Coordinator had the opportunity to attend the event in Northbrook and thanked Lisa Weitzel for the great opportunity.

Nov. 9, 2023 | Chamber member John Deere signed an Illinois ESGR Statement of Support for the Guard and Reserve at their Deere & Company World Headquarters in Moline, Illinois.

David Ottavianelli, Director of Workforce and Community Growth signed the document that will be distributed to locations across the U.S., while the original document will be displayed at the Deere & Company Headquarters.

Following breakfast and signing, the John Deere leadership team invited members of their Military Employee Resource Group (MERG) to a Veteran’s Day ceremony that was simulcast to locations across the company. Laurie Silvey, IL Chamber VP of Business Services, attended the event as the State Chair for Illinois ESGR.

Oct. 23, 2023 | IL Chamber's VP of Business Services, Laurie Silvey had a booth at ILSHRM's Annual Conference. Thank you, Illinois State Council of the Society for Human Resource Management for allowing us to be a part of this great event!

Nov. 7, 2023 | It is with both sadness and applause that we announce the official retirement of Jeanette Anderson from the Illinois Chamber of Commerce on November 7th, after 40 dedicated years of service. If you have had the opportunity to meet Jeanette, you know what a sincere and genuine person she is. She always has a smile on her face and has always been willing to help the organization where she can.

Jeanette retires as the Chamber’s Administration and Membership Manager in our downtown Chicago office, where she had previously served in numerous other roles.

In her early years, Jeanette attended Simeon High School in Chicago for two years before going on to Jones Commercial High School, where she graduated in 1976. She learned how to work in an office setting while attending Jones Commercial High School, which led Jeanette down her successful professional path for 40 years.

Jeanette started at the Illinois Chamber in 1983 as the Receptionist, a position she held for 15 years. She was later appointed Supervisor of Financial Transactions for the Finance Department. She was then advanced to Office Manager in 2001. In 2015, Jeanette was promoted to Assistant to the Chief Operating Officer while continuing as the Office Manager.

In retirement, Jeanette plans to enjoy time with her family and friends and said that she may return to sewing clothing again.

Jeanette, thank you for your many years here at the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, you will be greatly missed.

Oct. 10, 2023 | Chamber member Ameren Illinois announced a $4,000 grant to the Greater Peoria YMCA. This grant will help promote the YMCA's community outreach efforts. Thank you, Ameren Illinois for making Illinois a better place to work and live! Read More

Oct. 17, 2023 | Chamber Member Roland Machinery Company committed to investing $500,000 in Lincoln Land Community College's new diesel technologies program over the next five years! We look forward to seeing how this donation will grow the Illinois business community. Thank you, Roland Machinery for making Illinois a better place to work and live! Read More

Oct. 27, 2023 | Thank you Remco Samuels, CEO of EVBox for inviting Chamber's very own SR. VP of Gov't Affairs, Clark Kaericher and Executive Director, Alec Messina to the launch event of their Troniq Modular DC fast charging station at their new facility in Libertyville. There were many guests of honor in attendance including Governor JB Pritzker, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, Congressman Brad Schneider, and State Senator Dan McConchie. Thank you for your partnership with the Illinois Chamber!

Nov. 1, 2023 | The holiday season is quickly approaching, and we are happy to announce that the annual hiring event of Chamber Member, UPS is back from November 3-4 and is expected to hire 3,500 employees in the Chicago area for the holiday season! Thank you, #UPS for helping spread holiday cheer! Read More

Nov. 20, 2023 | Congratulations, Amundsen Davis! This is well deserved! Read More



In the fourth quarter of 2023, we spoke to radio, television, and print media outlets, delivering pro-business values to audiences across Illinois.

• Chamber: Proposed warehouse regulations could hinder smaller Illinois companies
• Illinois Chamber of Commerce appoints new president and CEO
• Sandoval named Illinois Chamber of Commerce President
• New Illinois Chamber of Commerce president named
• Lou Sandoval named president, CEO of Illinois Chamber of Commerce
• Lou Sandoval Named President and CEO of Illinois Chamber of Commerce
• Illinois Chamber of Commerce names new president and CEO
• New leadership appointed for Housing Authority of Cook County, Illinois Chamber of Commerce
• Effingham County Chamber To Host Luncheon Introducing New IL Chamber President & CEO
• New Chamber of Commerce leader brings business owner background to Springfield
• New Chamber Head Sandoval Expanding on Longtime Mission
• New leader for IL Chamber