World Business Chicago

This week’s Business Pulse highlights Cook County Government’s efforts to address workforce challenges in the manufacturing sector. Through the Good Jobs Chicagoland initiative, the county is building a talent pipeline to equip manufacturers with skilled workers and create equitable career opportunities. The program has already partnered with companies like Freedman Seating Company to train 250 employees in fields such as welding and CNC programming, aiming to strengthen the sector's resilience and competitiveness. Read more about how this initiative is shaping the future of Cook County's manufacturing industry ⬇

For small businesses, tech literacy is critical for success now more than ever. This is why we've extended our partnership with the workshop leaders of this year's Small Business Tech Symposium to provide crucial business-guidance to our audience from real experts, free of charge. Meet Jason Treadwell, founder of Treadwell Consulting Group, and our tech symposium workshop leader on fintech solutions. At the Small Business Tech Symposium, presented by Verizon at the Polsky Center at the University of Chicago, Jason led two group sessions about how fintech is enabling small businesses to scale at unprecedented levels. In case you missed it, here are Jason's thoughts about the constantly-changing landscape of financial technology, and what lies ahead for small businesses looking to leverage these tools.

Today the Chicago Plan Commission approved the rezoning application that brings us one step closer to transforming the former U.S. Steel South Works site into the Illinois Quantum & Microelectronics Park (IQMP)—a cornerstone for quantum innovation. Congratulations to PsiQuantum, IQMP, Related Midwest, Clayco, and all involved city and state teams on achieving this significant milestone today. This milestone would not have been possible without the steadfast leadership and passion of Alderman Mitchell and Alderman Chico. Alderman Mitchell, a lifelong South Side resident, spoke powerfully at the Plan Commission meeting about the opportunity to revitalize the community he’s called home for 55 years, transforming a site long dormant into a hub for innovation and opportunity. Alderman Chico, deeply rooted in the area’s legacy, emphasized the importance of action, highlighting this project as a turning point for the 7th and 10th wards to bring generational impact and jobs back to the South Side. Their advocacy exemplifies the dedication needed to drive real change. The IQMP, anchored by PsiQuantum with a $1 billion investment commitment, will not only lead the world in quantum innovation but also create thousands of quality jobs, develop a robust talent pipeline, and catalyze investments in housing, infrastructure, and parkland for South Chicago residents. Read more ➡ https://lnkd.in/gvx-8k48

World Business Chicago proudly joined The Executives' Club of Chicago to honor Microsoft CEO and Chairman Satya Nadella as International Executive of the Year. The luncheon featured an engaging fireside chat between Satya Nadella and former U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker, delivering powerful insights on leadership, groundbreaking innovation, and AI’s game-changing potential to transform industries. We’re especially proud to have Microsoft as a World Business Chicago board member, represented by Tony Surma — and a big thank you goes out to the Microsoft Chicago team, Nisaini R. , Tyler Clark Events like these showcase how Chicago and the Midwest are shaping the future of tech and innovation. A big thank you to Margaret M. Mueller, Ph.D. and her team for hosting such a phenomenal event. We were pleased to share in the moment with our table guests and WBC board members: Paul Hsu, Decasonic, Jim Hart, Burwood Group, and David Andalcio, Wynndalco Enterprises; along with Kate Waimey Timmerman, Chicago Quantum Exchange, Laura Appenzeller, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, Illinois Quantum & Microelectronics Park (IQMP), Allison Winstel, mHUB, and Ashley Hartman, Bluestein Ventures. It was great to also see the Microsoft Chicago team in the house: Tony Surma, Tyler Clark, and Nisaini R. WBC hosts: Phil Clement, Abin Kuriakose & Nicole McCarthy #WhyChicago #Innovation #Leadership

We’re incredibly proud to see so many connections to World Business Chicago represented on Crain's Chicago Business' prestigious list of Latino leaders in #Chicago! Read the story here: https://bit.ly/48ZDW0x   Congratulations to everyone spotlighted including WBC board members Martin Cabrera Jr. (Cabrera Capital Markets) and Carmen M. Hernandez (Clayco), as well as leaders from WBC board member companies including United Airlines, CIBC, Jenner & Block, Northwestern Medicine, Grant Thornton (US), Ariel Investments, PNC, BMO, and JPMorganChase.   Other notable honorees also include: ✨ Illinois Comptroller Susanna Mendoza ✨ Arthur Zayas Miller, President/CEO, MZI Group ✨ Julian Posada, Founder/CEO, LiftUp Enterprises ✨ Raul Raymundo, The Resurrection Project ✨ Sandra Cordova Micek, President/CEO, WTTW ✨ Xochitl Flores, Bureau Chief, Cook County Bureau of Economic Development   We are grateful to all these extraordinary individuals for their impactful contributions in shaping the future of #Chicago and the #Chicagoland region. We celebrate their achievements and the inspiration they provide to our communities!

This past weekend, WBC’s CEO, Phil Clement, joined Chicago's innovation leaders at the 23rd annual Chicago Innovation Awards. As a presenter, Phil highlighted WBC’s mission to drive economic growth and foster innovation, showing how we are "Building the Future of Chicago, Together." We’re proud to be part of a community that celebrates transformative ideas and drives progress across industries. Congratulations to all the winners who embody Chicago’s ingenuity and resilience!

Thank you to everyone who attended this year's Small Business Tech Symposium at the Polsky Center at the University of Chicago! Presented by World Business Chicago and Verizon, the Small Business Tech Symposium is a yearly event focused on providing guidance for emerging entrepreneurs in all things tech—from fintech and e-commerce, to data analytics and AI applications. A special thank you goes out to our workshop leaders, Jason Treadwell, Terrand Smith, CJ Harris, Forrest Alonso Haydon and Marley Rosario, MPP—and our panelists, Feroze Hanif, LaShon A. and William Smith. If you couldn't make it to the event, worry not! The workshop leaders will appear this week and next on WBC socials for their key points on fintech, e-commerce, Google analytics and AI. Stay tuned! Zoë Saphir Jalen Boney, MSED Carla Agostinelli LaForce Baker Kyle T. Schulz

This Megaproject Monday, new renderings from the Chicago Transit Authority show major changes to the Clark & Lake train station, the second busiest train station in the Loop. This $10 million investment is poised to update the station's mezzanine finish and improve accessibility by relocating the main entrance to the Northeast corner of the Clark & Lake intersection. The initiative follows a mandate from JRTC Holdings to hire 26% Minority Business Enterprise and 6% Women Business Enterprise subcontractors, with phase 1 beginning November next year. Clark & Lake is the station of choice for thousands of Chicago commuters every day—are you looking forward to the new station? Read more in the Chicago Sun-Times: https://lnkd.in/gECidTrS and from the CTA: https://lnkd.in/gkHuNVnB

Last Thursday, World Business Chicago (WBC) hosted the 2024 Chicago International Gala at the Field Museum, where a record-breaking audience of 700 people gathered to celebrate Chicago's commitment to business and culture, as well as WBC's 25th anniversary! Guests enjoyed food that showcased Chicago's diverse cuisines and an ambiance of entertainment that highlighted music from around the world. The event gathered Chicago’s business and civic community to honor individuals whose work is shaping the future of the city and making a global impact. One of those honorees was J. Christoph Lichtenfeld, Co-Chair of the Hamburg Committee, who was awarded with the 2024 Chicago Sister Cities International Volunteer of the Year Award. Congratulations to Christoph and fellow awardees - including John Rogers, Michael Moskow, PsiQuantum, the Chicago Sky and Chicago Stars - who in their speeches reinforced a shared commitment to driving community, growth and innovation for our city in the years ahead. Chicago Sister Cities International also announced Tamar Newberger as our new chair. We are excited to welcome Ms. Newberger in this role and thank our outgoing chair, Jose Luis Prado, for his years of service. We were also joined by Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and over 50 members of Chicago's Consular Corps, who are dedicated to promoting Chicago's cultural vibrancy. Proceeds from the evening help fund Chicago Consular Corps sponsorships for international students attending the University of Illinois Chicago. All in all, a great evening!

Gensler, a World Business Chicago board member company and globally renowned architecture firm, recently hosted its Global Board & Management Committee meeting in Chicago, featuring a dynamic panel of the city’s top leaders and influencers. This annual tradition brought together voices that are shaping the next chapter of Chicago’s urban development and global standing. Hannah Loftus, WBC’s new Vice President of Research, joined an esteemed group of panelists, including Jeff Shapack, Shapack Partners, Ann Thompson, Related Midwest, Danny Wirtz, Chicago Blackhawks, Leon Walker, DL3 Realty   The event was moderated by Eleanor Esser Gorski, Chicago Architecture Center, who led the conversation into the challenges and opportunities shaping Chicago’s urban landscape. Key Highlights: 🔹 Hannah shared data revealing a population increase in Chicago’s downtown, underscoring that the city’s bold plans, like transforming LaSalle Street into a vibrant residential corridor, are on the right track. 🔹 Panelists explored how collaboration between developers, civic organizations, and the city is driving innovation in housing, infrastructure, and neighborhood revitalization. Chicago’s strong civic community is ready to face challenges and opportunities for growth. 🔹 From the South Side's transformative investments to the integration of design and community needs, the conversation celebrated Chicago’s resilience, and forward-thinking vision.    Events like this showcase the power of partnerships and bold ideas in shaping a brighter, more inclusive future for Chicago. We’re proud to collaborate with board member companies like Gensler to highlight the city’s strength and potential. Thank you to all the panelists and Gensler for leading this important dialogue.    Together, we’re building a better Chicago!