Above / The stage was set for the Choose DuPage Business Leaders’ Roundtable to focus on technology, healthcare and manufacturing during the luncheon at Drury Lane in Oakbrook on May 3, 2016.
Choose DuPage hosted the 7th Annual DuPage County Regional Business Outlook Tuesday at Drury Lane in Oakbrook.
This year’s luncheon provided another chance for the regional economic development organization to highlight the current business landscape throughout DuPage County. The 2016 event attracted more than 700 individuals where Illinois Comptroller Leslie Munger presented the keynote address.
DuPage County Board Chairman Cronin kicked off the presentations with news that the county has a 5.3 unemployment rate and even better news that businesses are investing in DuPage, one of 102 counties in Illinois. Currently, 107 new projects amounting to $570 million will produce 3,700 new jobs, Cronin said.
Aiming to keep the cost of doing business low, Cronin said he’ll continue to try to reduce the size and scope of government.
Citing the fact the Illinois has the highest property tax rate in the country as well as the highest number of local governments—8,480 units throughout the state—Cronin expressed the need to identify “ghost” governments as well as ways to consolidate.
“Legacy governments need to be revisited,” he said.
Transform Illinois Coalition, an organization of public officials, civic groups, advocates and nonprofits, is working to reduce the burden on taxpayers and support government collaboration, consolidation and transparency.
During his remarks, Cronin recognized Naperville Mayor Steve Chirico for his recent efforts to heighten awareness regarding possibilities to consolidate.
PHOTO GALLERY is a sampling of the Regional Business Outlook, admittedly with the lens focused on Naperville. Click any photo to enlarge.
[shareprints gallery_id=”58764″ gallery_type=”squares” gallery_position=”pos_center” gallery_width=”width_100″ image_size=”small” image_padding=”2″ theme=”dark” image_hover=”false” lightbox_type=”slide” comments=”false” sharing=”true”]
A snapshot of the U.S. Market Outlook was given by Brian Belski, Chief Investment Strategist, BMO Capital Markets. During his sometimes lighthearted look at the “slowest economic recovery in history,” his opinion is that investors “have forgotten how to invest.” The bullish investor with 26 years of experience suggested that the iPhone is an “Internet machine” and that popcorn sales will go up this summer with all the theater on the political landscape. Belski foresees a more business-friendly climate in 2017 and 2018.
Illinois Comptroller Leslie Munger, a former business executive from Lake County, provided a glimpse of the challenges she’s faced in Springfield since she accepted the Governor’s appointment early in 2015, taking the seat left vacant by the death of re-elected Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka. Complemented by a video message from Governor Bruce Rauner, Munger joins Illinois’ chief executive officer in a vision to make state government more transparent, efficient and affordable as the legislature works to pass a balanced budget.
Munger said she advocates for reforms to make Illinois more competitive. Her goal is for all of Illinois to attract good jobs, ultimately expanding the state’s tax base through economic growth rather than raising taxes.
Both Munger and Rauner urged lawmakers to put Illinois taxpayers first and restore the economy of Illinois, mindful, no doubt, that Illinois is a beautiful Midwestern state, rich in natural resources and an educated workforce.
Opportunity Matters / A Very Brief Overview
During what has become a signature feature of the event, independent journalist Lisa Leiter led the Business Leaders’ Roundtable, a Q&A featuring three fields of business serving DuPage County focused on the theme, “Opportunity Matters.”
Sean Chou, CEO of Catalytic in Naperville; Michael Vivoda, Sr. VP and President of West Region, Northwestern Memorial HealthCare serving Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield (as well as hospitals in Chicago, Lake Forest and Geneva); and Ray Ziganto, President of Bi-Link in Bloomingdale, brought their respective experiences in technology, healthcare and manufacturing to the forefront.
Catalytic in Naperville / Technology
With offices in Naperville, Chou said he knows his business not only should be located where technology talent originates; it should be a place where talent stays. That’s one of the reasons he set up his business in downtown Naperville where he recognizes mature talent is important along with the strong sense of community, and, he jests, “free parking.”
Chou added, “Don’t ever lose the sense of community. Naperville is a walkable, livable community.”
West Region, Northwestern Memorial HealthCare
“The cost of healthcare is staggering,” admitted Vivoda, acknowledging that “new technology raises the cost of healthcare.”
Preventative care is key, Vivoda said. “Keep people healthy and out of E.R. and hospitals.”
Vivoda said his company, a nonprofit with a mission, aims to remain differentiated and relevant in the competitive market of healthcare with a positive attitude. Though behind other industries, more efficiency is on the way.
Bi-Link in Bloomingdale / Manufacturing
Bi-Link, a family-owned company established in 1961, is working to do a better job at finding a larger pool of skilled workers and ways to attract them to a company that’s redefining the role of manufacturing.
Ziganto said he is enthusiastic about manufacturing opportunities where “different opportunities look different.” A skilled workforce is needed, he said, and an “under identified pool” exists at this time that could fill jobs to achieve cost-effective manufacturing solutions.
To restore faith that some folks and business have lost in the economy of Illinois, Ziganto said it would help if the fighting would stop. “Be more cooperative,” he added.
Faith in the future of the U.S. economy was embraced by all presenters. The consensus was there’s no other place in the world where people innovate more than in America, a place where bright people are prepared to solve problems.
Choose DuPage & Naperville
After the luncheon, John Carpenter, President & CEO of Choose DuPage, responded to a question regarding the informative roundtable.
“The members of the DuPage business leaders roundtable represented the diversity of the County’s business community, its solid foundations, and its entrepreneurial spirit,” noted Carpenter. “They are all proud to call DuPage home. And it was obvious they consider this a good place to do business.”
Christine Jeffries, President of the Naperville Development Partnership, added, “There were so many great ideas, and, of course, the mention of Naperville’s downtown and its urban vibe, was appreciated. … We have been hearing from the business community that Naperville is considered the ‘satellite city’ to Chicago. Innovation is high on every business’ agenda so it was nice to hear confirmation from the panel that the technology labor is readily available in Naperville.”
Jeffries continued, “Whether it’s a business incubator at Nichols Library or the new accelerator being launched at North Central College, entrepreneurs and start ups will find tools in Naperville. Those tools can help their companies develop and innovate as well as explore new paths to scale up new business here.”
