Welcome to Illinois – A Better State of Business
Illinois is ranked first in the mid-west for foreign direct investment because Illinois is a great state for business. Major international companies choose Illinois for their US subsidiaries and North American headquarters because Illinois has what businesses want; talent, infrastructure and an unparalleled location. That is why Illinois is home to 32 of the Fortune 500 and nearly 1600 foreign companies including 215 British companies.
Illinois’s world class city Chicago is the commercial centre of the US. It is home to two of the top international exchanges – the Chicago Board of Trade and the Chicago Board Options Exchange, over 80 foreign consulates and more than 90 foreign-based trade and investment organisations. Chicago’s global economic engine leads the mid-west in high-tech employment, air travel, distribution and manufacturing, and boasts a high urban quality of life.
Chicago is not the only Illinois city capable of providing your businesses with competitive advantages. Impressive business, cultural, educational and recreational resources can also be found outside of the Chicago area including the Quad Cities and Metro East. As America’s Inland Port, communities like these provide companies with direct access to the mighty Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico – a distinct competitive advantage many Illinois businesses enjoy. Downstate Illinois provides access to a skilled workforce used by Fortune 500 companies like ADM, Caterpillar, and John Deere.
Your business can reach any market from Illinois, whether North American or around the world. We offer three international airports (O’Hare, Midway and Rockford) providing business leaders options to keep their businesses moving forward. Our accessibility via road, rail, air and water has helped make it one of the largest container hubs in the world.
I am proud Illinois is also known for its hospitality, its diversity, and its vibrancy; from its world-class flagship city – Chicago – to its scenic, rolling countryside. Whether here or abroad, it is a privilege to represent the people of Illinois who are known for their honesty of purpose, their open minds, and their willingness to unite and work with people everywhere.
I look forward to deepening our bond with the UK’s business community, guided always by mutual appreciation and respect. Nothing would please me more than to welcome you to Illinois – A Better State of Business.
Sincerely,
Pat Quinn
Governor
Governor Quinn left office on 12th January 2015