1. CURRENT ILLINOIS BUSINESS ANALYSIS Rick Surkamer, Co-Chair Illinois Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Council Dr. Jill Kickul Kellstadt Graduate School of Business DePaul University Economic Development Council Research Findings

2. Who are we? Economic Development Council Illinois Chamber of Commerce Members Purpose

3. Illinois Business Analysis Study Goals Identify state government incentives that encourage and support businesses Explore and suggest new drivers of economic growth that allow organizations to find innovative ways to increase efficiency, lower costs, and improve technological processes

4. Illinois Business Analysis Current business optimism Forty-six percent of the Illinois businesses surveyed are less optimistic about the economy of the region served by their organization than they were 12 months ago.

5. Study Participants and Methodology Over 160 Illinois businesses Average annual revenues ($78.2 million) Average # employees (300+ workers)

6. Summary of Key Findings Four key areas of interest and opportunities: 1. Improve education 2. Reduce state driven costs 3. Promote existing quality programs 4. Explore new drivers of growth

7. Educate the child, employees and business owners

9. Reduce state driven cost of doing business

11. Lower cost via taxes Lower cost via labor Increase market opportunities Increase qualified labor pool Strengthen infrastructure Improve quality of life

12. Reduce state driven cost of doing business

13. Market and promote existing state programs Top utilized state programs Industrial Training Program Enterprise Zone Illinois Skills Match (ISM) Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Economic Development for a Growing Economy (EDGE)

14. Market and promote existing state programs Informational and Knowledge Sharing Resources in Partnering to Facilitate Implementation Informational and Knowledge Sharing Resources in Partnering to Facilitate Implementation Technology Barriers Cost Minimization Risk Reduction Future Investment In Technological Innovations Capital/Resource Investments

15. Explore drivers for growth The state of Illinois is diverse with… Varying industries Economic trends Region-specific needs and interests

16. RegionStrengthsWeaknesses Upper Logistics Labor Base Market Proximity Transportation Cost of Living Taxes Central Labor Base Stability Logistics Skilled Labor Southern Labor Base Logistics Lack of Infrastructure Quality of Education Explore drivers for growth

17. Implementation Strategies