News – Page 28 – Choose DuPage

Illinois Tourism Breaks 100 Million Visitor Mark for the First Time

Posted on January 3, 2014 | by brent

Illinois set an all-time record for tourism, breaking the 100 million visitor mark in 2012. International visitors rose 11.8 percent last year to set another new record and push the total to 101 million. Tourism in Illinois generated an estimated $33.5 billion and 298,700 jobs for the state’s economy, also new high marks for the state. Continue reading →

Illinois Coal Exports Set Record, Fuel Economic Growth

Posted on January 2, 2014 | by brent

Illinois coal output rose last year against the tide of shrinking U.S. production, as global demand for Illinois coal soared. The report and its recommendations support Governor Quinn’s five-year-plan to double exports by 2014 and to continue providing an export-friendly business climate in Illinois. “Illinois coal is in high demand overseas and we have the resources and infrastructure to take advantage of this opportunity for economic growth, Governor Quinn said. —Our rail lines and river ports, which we continue to improve under the Illinois Jobs Now! capital construction program, give us a unique export advantage over other states in the region.” Continue reading →

Message from the Director of Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity

Posted on January 2, 2014 | by brent

As we bring 2013 to a close, I would like to take a moment to review DCEO’s successes and reiterate our continued commitment to creating jobs and economic opportunities for all Illinoisans. Early this year, Illinois was ranked the fifth best location in the nation for corporate expansion by Site Selection Magazine, one of the most prestigious and notable publications of its kind. Topping that was Chicago, landing the #1 spot in the nation for Foreign Direct Investment, while Illinois continues to be the number one state in the Midwest for exports. Continue reading →

Small Business Initiative Puts People to Work Across Illinois

Posted on January 2, 2014 | by brent

The federally-funded Advantage Illinois program launched less than two years ago has helped scores of companies create nearly 2,000 jobs by providing Illinois entrepreneurs with the access to capital necessary to expand their businesses. Continue reading →

Governor Quinn Announces Illinois Manufacturing Lab

Posted on January 2, 2014 | by brent

Governor Pat Quinn joined officials from the University of Illinois and UI LABS to launch the Illinois Manufacturing Lab (IML) – a key initiative to increase the competitiveness, productivity and profitability of Illinois’ manufacturers. Proposed by the Governor in his 2013 State of the State address, the IML is launching its initial efforts with pilot projects at ten Illinois companies to identify and solve advanced manufacturing challenges. Continue reading →

Illinois Economy Posts Strong Fourth Quarter Growth

Posted on January 2, 2014 | by brent

Governor Pat Quinn announced that Illinois’ economy posted the strongest growth in the Midwest for September and October, and nearly 40,000 jobs in the last three months of 2013. Continue reading →

The Elgin O’Hare/Western Access (EOWA) Project Overview

Posted on November 20, 2013 | by brent

Published by: Illinois Tollway The Elgin O’Hare Western Access (EOWA) Project has the potential to change the face of Illinois’ northwest suburbs, the Midwest region and beyond.  Due to the overall magnitude of the project and potential to dramatically improve mobility, freight connectivity and enhance the national and regional economies, the EOWA Project is considered a Project of National and Regional Significance by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Continue reading →

Universal Technical Institute Opens New State of the Art Industry Campus

Posted on November 19, 2013 | by brent

Lisle, Ill. (November 13, 2013) – Universal Technical Institute (NYSE: UTI), the nation’s leading provider of post-secondary education for individuals seeking careers as professional automotive, diesel, collision repair, motorcycle and marine technicians, has opened its new, state-of-the-industry, 187,000 square foot campus in Lisle. The new facility replaces its Glendale Heights campus, where it had operated for the past 25 years and produced more than 19,000 graduates. The Lisle facility is designed to accommodate approximately 2,000 students and up to 150 faculty and staff. Continue reading →

O’Hare western access gets $69 million federal boost

Posted on November 14, 2013 | by brent

Published by: Crain’s Chicago Business, Written by: Greg Hinz Plans for long-proposed western access to O’Hare International Airport got a fair-sized push today with the news that $69 million in federal money has been obtained for the extension of the Elgin-O’Hare tollway to the western edge of the airfield. Officials in DuPage County, which hopes to gain tons of new business investment from western access, announced that they obtained the funds from an air quality improvement program run by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, which administers certain federal funds. Continue reading →

Woodridge IL Showcases its Industrial Property on Tour

Posted on November 5, 2013 | by brent

Officials in the Village of Woodridge, IL joined together with Choose DuPage to lead about 39 participants on an industrial property tour of Woodridge Oct. 29. The tour informed industrial brokers about available space, potential developments and village services. The tour featured 11 Woodridge business parks, 12 million square feet of space and more than 250 acres for future industrial projects. Click here to read full article. Published by: Suburban Life Media