- Some states have attempted to discredit Illinois as a great place to do business. Don’t believe them, writer says
- Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker is one reason the business climate in Illinois has improved.
In the battle to attract the businesses of tomorrow, states around the country are using creative methods to differentiate themselves from others. And as we continue to build the best economic conditions our state has had in generations, it comes as no surprise that others count Illinois among their toughest competition.
While it’s true that the business community once turned its nose down at our state, the reality is that Illinois’ economic ecosystem today is hardly recognizable from years past. It’s time to reintroduce Illinois and set the record straight on why this is the place businesses want to be.
For one, Illinois is literally at the center of it all. We are the only state where all the Class I railroads meet in two locations. O’Hare airport is one of the most globally connected airports in the world. We have the third largest interstate highway system in the U.S., and inland waterways that connect to the Great Lakes, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Gulf of Mexico. Whether a business is shipping products via rail, roads, rivers, or runways, there is a big advantage to being in Illinois. How much of an advantage? PWC estimates that for many companies, logistics makes up around 10% of revenue. You won’t often see factors like these making headlines, but these are the things businesses care about.