Illinois & Chicagoland Are Leading Innovation in Quantum

August 30, 2023
Quantum technology

The Chicagoland region stands on the precipice of becoming a global center for quantum technologies, suggests a report released today by World Business Chicago. The transformative impact of quantum technology is expected to outpace current computational capabilities and revolutionize sectors like automotive, finance, life sciences, and beyond.

Read more in World Business Chicago’s Chicago Business Bulletin, “Chicagoland’s Quantum Ecosystem” published in partnership with the Chicago Quantum Exchange and P33 Chicago.

“The motivation behind this report was understanding that quantum, often likened to science fiction, is very real,” expressed Robin Ficke, SVP, Research, World Business Chicago. ” Though quantum applications are still nascent, the strides made by local scientists and innovators are turning heads in the investment and corporate sectors. This report illuminates the region’s opportunity to lead quantum technology’s future.

The Research Center at World Business Chicago delves deeply into the strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities of both established and emergent industries. Today’s quantum ecosystem report provides an unbiased glimpse into the region’s quantum tech landscape and its broader implications in the U.S. and world.

“We join Governor Pritzker and other key stakeholders, in a commitment to see Illinois and the Chicagoland region become a global quantum hub,” said Michael Fassnacht, President & CEO, World Business Chicago. “Given our diversified economy, industrial stronghold, top-tier education system, vibrant startup culture, and strong pipeline of leading researchers, scientists and engineers, we’re not just embracing the quantum shift—we are leading it.”

“Quantum technologies have the potential to transform everyday life across multiple sectors, and the Midwest region is poised to become the heart of the nation’s quantum economy, thanks in large part to the deep cross-sector partnerships we have cultivated here,” said David Awschalom, Liew Family Professor of Molecular Engineering at the University of Chicago and Director of the Chicago Quantum Exchange. “Collaboration among academia, industry, and government labs have attracted substantial investment to the region and contribute to the strong quantum ecosystem reflected in this report.”

World Business Chicago’s Quantum Ecosystem report highlights increasing investments in the region’s quantum ecosystem, why the Chicagoland region is one of the top three best-positioned in the U.S. for supplying the quantum workforce of the future, details of Illinois’ status as a frontrunner in active quantum patents, leading all Midwestern states; and other reasons why the region is a magnet for quantum startups, companies, and leaders of industry. Other findings include:

  • Billions in Quantum’s Wake – Quantum startups globally have attracted an impressive $9.8 billion since 2020, a leap from the prior $1.4 billion over 2014-2019. Illinois has captured $33.2 million since 2017, solidifying its lead for quantum ventures, particularly those focused on software. This can be seen not only in the data but in the personal stories of researchers, startup founders and students who have come to the region for the richness of the quantum ecosystem. Six of those stories are detailed today in a report out by the Chicago Quantum Exchange, including those of three startups that have attracted millions of dollars in public and private investment: EeroQ, which moved its headquarters to Chicago in 2022; Super.tech, a University of Chicago spin-out was acquired in 2022 by Infleqtion (formerly ColdQuanta); and Quantopticon, which is in the process of moving its headquarters to Chicago.
  • Chicagoland: A Quantum Magnet – The region’s quantum ecosystem is more than its startups. Over 40 Fortune 500 companies, leading universities, research labs, and incubators also populate the region. This synergy of tech behemoths, academia, research, and innovative startups positions Chicagoland as a dominant quantum hub.
  • Educational Epicenter – Including nearby quantum centers in Urbana–Champaign and Madison, Wisconsin, the Midwest region is the nation’s third-largest quantum education hub. The Chicagoland region is second in spinning out the most quantum-focused doctoral graduates.

Looking Ahead

Illinois, and the Chicagoland region, is on the precipice of becoming a global hub for quantum development. Today scientists are actively experimenting on ways to increase computer speed, improve cryptography, curate new ways to detect diseases, and more.

“Quantum is ours to win. Every dollar invested, every research paper published, and every startup incubated brings us closer to seeing Illinois and the Chicagoland region a global epicenter of quantum technology,” said Brad Henderson, CEO, P33 Chicago.

SOURCE: World Business Chicago

Chicagoland’s Quantum Ecosystem, Executive Summary 

DOWNLOAD THE FULL REPORT

Chicago is not Silicon Valley: our uniqueness lies in fostering a distinct and diverse technological ecosystem, where the collective business community carves out its own path to innovation. Chicago’s advantage lies in its diverse range of industries, which span finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and more. This diversity allows for cross-pollination of ideas, especially as quantum companies collaborate with various industry sectors, leading to innovative solutions that cater to specific, real-world challenges. Chicago’s rare environment enables rapid commercialization and practical application of quantum technologies.

In this issue of the Chicago Business Bulletin, the World Business Chicago Research Center will illustrate Chicagoland’s advantages in the quantum industry across a number of metrics, including its diverse industrial base, but also academic and research institutions, private and public investments, and intellectual property production.

Key Findings:

  • Chicago’s diverse industry base creates a wealth of real-world challenges and applications for quantum companies to address. Chicago is one of the top metro areas in the US for industries — like high tech, IT-producing, and IT-using industries — that most often acquire new technology as part of their innovation strategies.
  • Within the US, the broader Chicago region (including the Chicago, Urbana-Champaign, and Madison, Wisconsin metro areas) has the third highest number of universities engaged in quantum research activities. With respect to actual academic programs, this region has the third most universities with quantum-related academic program completions.
  • Global investment in quantum startups has increased dramatically since 2020; Illinois is a leader in US-based investments. Illinois has the second most deals made by quantum startups after California. Investment in Illinois and Midwestern quantum startups is more likely to be captured by software-focused firms, compared to hardware-focused firms.
  • Illinois has a diverse, well-balanced distribution of quantum patents across sub-niches, especially compared to other high-performing states with significant quantum presences. Notably, 47.8% of Illinois’ quantum patents fall under quantum devices, while 14.5% are in quantum optics and quantum information processing. In contrast, California — the largest quantum patent producer — has over 70% of its patents in quantum devices and only 5% in quantum optics and quantum information processing.

Fact Sheet

  • Chicagoland offers more than 40 quantum-related corporate, government, academic, and non-profit partners.
  • The Chicago metro area’s high tech industry is poised to grow by 15% between 2022 and 2026.
  • Chicago Quantum Exchange partner universities rank second in the nation for number of quantum related Ph.D. graduates.
  • Illinois quantum startups have raised $33.2 million through 27 deals.
  • With 1,273 active quantum patents, Illinois ranks fifth in the nation.

DOWNLOAD THE FULL REPORT

Argonne researchers win three 2023 R&D 100 Awards

August 25, 2023
Argonne National Laboratory

The awards program is colloquially referred to as the ​“Oscars of Innovation”

Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory and partner organizations have been honored with three awards as part of the 2023 R&D 100 Awards, colloquially referred to as the ​“Oscars of Innovation.” An additional Argonne project was named a finalist.

“We are thrilled to see Argonne researchers and partners recognized by this prestigious awards program for their innovative work,” said Megan Clifford, Argonne’s associate laboratory director for science and technology partnerships and outreach. ​“Argonne’s winning projects and those that were named finalists represent a wide range of cutting-edge science and engineering — from climate science to cancer research — that can have a profound impact on people and communities.”

Argonne has won 145 R&D 100 Awards since the competition began in 1963. Past winners also include Fortune 500 companies, other DOE national laboratories, academic institutions and smaller companies.

Argonne’s winning projects/technologies this year are:

CANDLE (CANcer Distributed Learning Environment) (Principal Investigator: Rick Stevens)

CANDLE is an artificial intelligence-based computer code that brings together machine learning, deep learning and cancer research to accelerate the discovery of new cancer therapies and treatments. This unique and powerful platform aims to solve three major challenges in cancer. First, it analyzes protein behaviors in tumor cells. Second, it looks at the relationship between tumors and drugs. Third, it can analyze biomedical records to extract new patterns and information. CANDLE was also used to research potential treatments for SARS-CoV-2.

In addition, scientists are using CANDLE codes to check the performance of the most advanced DOE computing systems, including Argonne’s upcoming Aurora exascale supercomputer.

CANDLE is designed in partnership with DOE and the National Cancer Institute.

This research was supported by the Exascale Computing Project, a collaborative effort of DOE’s Office of Science and the National Nuclear Security Administration.

Cardinal: Scalable High-Order Multi-Physics Simulation (Principal Investigator: April Novak)

Scientists and engineers rely on simulation to predict the behavior of nuclear reactors under a variety of design conditions. Often, experiments are too expensive to carry out or are incompatible with fast-turnaround design cycles. Science modeling and simulation is particularly important to the advancement of novel nuclear reactor designs and can enable critical insight for making better design decisions to increase efficiency and safety.

Cardinal is an open-source simulation software package that delivers highly accurate solutions for a wide range of applications in nuclear energy sciences. Cardinal features state-of-the-art, scalable algorithms for achieving multiphysics solutions with neutron transport, fluid flow, heat transfer and material behavior on platforms ranging from laptops to extreme-scale computers. The physical phenomena that can be simulated with Cardinal range from neutron interactions with matter on the atomic scale to the whole-system response of nuclear reactors coupled to electric grids on the kilometer scale.

Funding for Cardinal was provided by DOE’s Office of Nuclear Energy.

Climate Risk and Resilience Portal (ClimRR) (Principal Investigator: Carmella Burdi)

ClimRR is a free, web-based tool that gives emergency managers and community leaders access to localized data about future climate conditions and hazards. Climate projections and visualization at the neighborhood-level scale create opportunities for local decision makers to take informed action. This information is increasingly of interest to decision makers as the impacts of climate change become more frequent and intense.

Argonne developed ClimRR in a unique partnership with AT&T and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. To create ClimRR, Argonne first used the power of the Argonne Leadership Computing Facility, a DOE Office of Science user facility, to dynamically downscale data from three different global climate models, and then used that dataset as the basis for rendering more than 100 unique visualizations of climate impact variables over three different timeframes and according to two greenhouse gas emission scenarios. The data in ClimRR can be combined with data from the Resilience Analysis and Planning Tool to help users understand local-scale climate risks in the context of existing community demographics and infrastructure. For example, users can include locations of vulnerable populations and critical infrastructure.

ClimRR can be used to plan for and reduce heat emergency deaths or target assistance among those communities that are most vulnerable. Communities can use the tool to protect family farms and the future food security of millions of people. Decision makers can use ClimRR to help make infrastructure more resilient against increasingly extreme conditions. Also, decision makers can use the tool to help vulnerable local seasonal economies plan for change, and preserve the cultures, resources and lifeways of indigenous peoples.

AT&T originally commissioned Argonne’s Center for Climate Resilience and Decision Science to produce the climate projections in ClimRR for the company’s own adaptation efforts, but then sought to make that data publicly available.

In addition, another Argonne project/technology was named a finalist this year:

ActivO: A Machine Learning Driven Active Optimizer for Rapid Product Design Optimization (Principal Investigator: Pinaki Pal)

ActivO is an innovative software technology developed at Argonne that provides a unique turnkey solution to speed up product design optimization and massively accelerate virtual prototyping across a wide range of industries. Imagine designing a car engine or a wind turbine. You want it to work well and use less energy, but figuring out the best design can take a lot of time and money because of having to test many ideas and prototypes.

The secret to how ActivO accelerates the design process is a one-of-its-kind combination of: advanced ensemble machine learning (ML)-driven predictive surrogate models trained on simulation data; adaptive sampling of the design space via active learning for on-the-fly refinements of the ML surrogate models; and efficient algorithms for controlling the relative degree of local (exploitation) versus global (exploration) search of the design space during optimization — all within an automated, modular and scalable workflow. ActivO can be readily coupled with any simulation tool. It can also efficiently run on high performance computing clusters/supercomputers and cloud-based platforms, owing to its highly parallelizable and portable framework. The compact and end-to-end nature of ActivO enables easy adoption by engineers in industry, even those who do not have extensive ML expertise.

ActivO has wide applicability and ability to impact multiple industrial sectors, such as automotive, aerospace, chemical, iron and steel, oil and gas, carbon capture, and biomedical. Argonne has demonstrated the capability of ActivO to speed up design optimization of automotive engines by an order of magnitude — from months to a few days — compared with other contemporary commercial software tools. Companies like Dow Chemical are already leveraging it to optimize their products. By way of drastically accelerating design optimization campaigns, ActivO can shrink industry design cycles/costs and time-to-market for advanced products.

ActivO was developed under a Technology Commercialization Fund project funded by the Decarbonization of Off-road, Rail, Marine and Aviation program of DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Vehicle Technologies Office.

The Argonne Leadership Computing Facility provides supercomputing capabilities to the scientific and engineering community to advance fundamental discovery and understanding in a broad range of disciplines. Supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Office of Science, Advanced Scientific Computing Research (ASCR) program, the ALCF is one of two DOE Leadership Computing Facilities in the nation dedicated to open science.

Argonne National Laboratory seeks solutions to pressing national problems in science and technology. The nation’s first national laboratory, Argonne conducts leading-edge basic and applied scientific research in virtually every scientific discipline. Argonne researchers work closely with researchers from hundreds of companies, universities, and federal, state and municipal agencies to help them solve their specific problems, advance America’s scientific leadership and prepare the nation for a better future. With employees from more than 60 nations, Argonne is managed by UChicago Argonne, LLC for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science.

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, visit https://​ener​gy​.gov/​s​c​ience.

Learn more about opportunities to partner with Argonne National Laboratory.

DuPage County to Host Community Forums to Help Shape County’s Future

August 22, 2023

DuPage County will host four community forums in September for residents to provide feedback as the County works to update its strategic plan.

The forum will provide an opportunity for residents to discuss their budgetary and community priorities for the new strategic plan, which will guide the County for the next five years.

“This is a valuable opportunity for our residents to provide insight on the strategic plan. I wholeheartedly believe the feedback we receive will be crucial to creating a strong, inclusive plan that benefits the entire County. I want to thank the residents for taking the time to provide us with their thoughts, which will help us shape our community’s future,” said Sadia Covert, Chair of the County’s Strategic Planning Committee.

The four forums will be held:

  • 12 to 1:30 p.m. Sept. 6 at West Chicago Public Library, 118 W. Washington St., The Meeting Room, West Chicago.
  • 6:30 to 8 p.m. Sept. 6 at Elmhurst Public Library, 125 S. Prospect Ave., Kossmann Room, Elmhurst.
  • 12 to 1:30 p.m. Sept. 7 at Wheaton Public Library, 225 N. Cross St., Meeting Room A, Wheaton.
  • 6:30 to 8 p.m. Sept. 7 at Lisle Public Library, 777 Front St., Meeting Rooms A and B, Lisle.

Residents who are unable to attend the forums can still provide feedback by taking a survey or providing comments online at https://berrydunn.mysocialpinpoint.com/dupagecountyil.

Green Business Assessment: Choosing Sustainability in DuPage

August 18, 2023
sustainability initiatives in dupage county
“Sustainability” is more than just a buzzword. It’s an intentional act, a strategic choice made by business owners to consider how their operations affect not only their bottom line, but their surrounding communities and our environment. 
 
Though the payoff is massively rewarding, adopting and promoting sustainability is no small task. Amid the day-to-day responsibilities of running a successful company, business owners face a lot of important and complex decisions. From figuring out ways to reduce energy consumption to implementing eco-friendly waste management tactics and beyond, the journey toward greener business practices can feel overwhelming. 
 
But what if business owners didn’t have to navigate this process on their own?
 
Enter Choose DuPage’s Green Business Assessment. Created in partnership with the Smart Energy Design Assistance Center (SEDAC), this initiative provides no-cost sustainability assessments for businesses across DuPage County, giving them the insights and guidance to make a lasting difference.   
 
Keep reading to learn the critical role of this program, its impact on environmental responsibility and the value it offers businesses.

WHAT A GREEN BUSINESS IS & THE BENEFITS OF BECOMING ONE

Before we elaborate on the details of our Green Business Assessment, it’s important that we get on the same page about what it means to be a “green business” in the first place.
 
SEDAC identifies green businesses as companies that operate across six key areas of sustainability which minimize their environmental impact and maximize their growth potential. 
 
  • Waste Reduction: Minimizing waste isn’t just ecologically beneficial; it helps create tangible cost savings both now and in the future.
  • Pollution Prevention: A steadfast commitment to pollution prevention directly contributes to a healthier environment and safer communities.
  • Trimming Utility Usage and Costs: Smart energy practices directly translate into reduced utility bills, while also supporting broader energy conservation efforts.
  • Engaging Employees in Sustainability Efforts: Involving staff in sustainability initiatives nurtures teamwork, camaraderie and shared responsibility.
  • Promoting Healthy Workplaces: Sustainability practices extend to fostering healthier indoor environments, which, in turn, boost employee productivity and satisfaction.
  • A Journey of Continuous Improvement: Green businesses are inherently committed to an ongoing journey of innovation and enhancement of their sustainable practices.
Let’s dive into the ins and outs of the Green Business Assessment and get a closer look at how it all works.  

HOW THE PROCESS WORKS

The Green Business Assessment, a partnership between Choose DuPage and SEDAC, is your roadmap to align with green energy and enhance energy efficiency in DuPage County. Follow it to leverage green building incentives and create real change. 
 
Here’s how it works.   
 

1. GET ASSESSED: 

We conduct a free sustainability assessment, delving into your operations and identifying opportunities for sustainability improvements. 
 
This information-gathering phase is crucial. From the amount of greenhouse gases emitted by the businesses in your supply chain, to how long and how many lights you keep on throughout the workday, each data point helps us understand the bigger picture. 
 

2. RECEIVE YOUR PLAN: 

Next, we’ll create a unique green action plan that outlines your path to reducing costs, boosting operational efficiency and switching to renewable energy sources, if possible. 
 
You’ll be able to connect with sustainability initiatives in DuPage County, such as the ComEd Distributed Generation (DG) Rebate. This program helps offset the out-of-pocket costs of solar panel installation, offering rebates of up to $300/kW. (For more information, please visit ComEd’s website.)
 

3. TAKE ACTION: 

Whether it’s optimizing your industrial properties’ energy consumption or finding office space outfitted with the latest energy-efficient technology, we assist you in making sustainable, value-driven choices. 
 
These decisions can help unlock exciting business opportunities and may even make the business relocation process easier. 
 

4. RECEIVE INCENTIVES AND CERTIFICATION: 

As you continue to complete the practices outlined in your plan—whether it’s playing an active role in integrating solar energy in DuPage County, lowering your Scope 3 emissions by localizing your supply chain, etc.—you’ll become eligible to receive financial incentives and sustainability certifications. 
 
You can even become an official SEDAC/Illinois Green Business Association (IGBA) Green-Certified Business, showing your customers and the greater DuPage business community that your organization leads by example. You’ll also receive valuable exposure via a press release, social media coverage, a public map listing, county-wide Choose DuPage promotion, and state-wide recognition.

GET STARTED

Interested in participating in our Green Business Assessment? We’re welcoming businesses of all sizes and types—from startups to established enterprises, nonprofits to public-sector organizations.  
 
By embracing sustainability and taking advantage of our Green Business Assessment, you’re not only benefiting your company—you’re contributing to a greener future for DuPage County and beyond. Together, we can establish a thriving business ecosystem that embodies the DuPage Difference and sets an influential example of global environmental stewardship.
 
To participate or gather more information, please reach out to us at info@ChooseDuPage.com.

Breakfast with the Chair: Leveraging AI for Business

August 14, 2023
Breakfast with the Chair

DuPage County business leaders gathered on Wednesday, August 9, 2023, at Hamilton Lakes in Itasca for an important, roundtable discussion about artificial intelligence (AI) and how to leverage it for business. A variety of businesses and organizations throughout DuPage engaged in meaningful conversations about AI’s applications, risks, and corporate policy around AI.

The Hon. Deborah Conroy, Chair of the DuPage County Board opened the discussion by sharing the incredible growth of platforms like Chat GPT and added, “I believe Chat GPT and the larger questions around AI will all be answered in the context of our human needs. These systems are not, in fact, human. They use the data that humans feed them. And sometimes, the information they spit back out is false. It’s flawed, as are the humans in charge. These systems will not replace the human experience… The most effective communication will always tap into these uniquely human experiences to connect with others. For that, we will always depend on our own human perspectives.”

Following Chair Conroy, Bert Nuehring, Partner and Kim Yin, Machine Learning Technology Lead at Crowe LLP gave a presentation on the applications, capabilities, benefits, and potential impact of AI. Some of the benefits include:

  • Faster product development. For example, it can be used to generate 3D architectural designs and floor plans based on client requirements. Or create app prototypes based on high-level specifications.
  • Enhanced customer experience. AI can be used as virtual assistants – providing personalized support and recommendations to customers or create personalized ad experiences based on behavior and preferences.
  • Improved employee productivity. AI can automate routine document preparation or streamline manual processes.

Attendees shared how they use AI in their businesses, ranging from summarizing text to generating ideas. 

Following Crowe LLP’s presentation, Rathje Woodward LLC gave a presentation on the risks of AI, and what companies should consider when building acceptable use policies. Attorneys Heather Kramer and Yates French shared that the risks include:

  • Hallucinations: liability for inaccurate information, fraud, defamation.
  • Confidentiality: protecting trade secrets or other highly sensitive information.
  • Privacy: protecting clients, consumers, or partners.
  • Copyright: Protecting your materials or using copy written materials.

Their presentation pointed out that when you ask a platform like Chat GPT a question, the answer is based on previously written words on the internet. It’s not looking for truth, it’s looking for the most popular answer available, and in some cases, it may be making it up entirely.

Heather and Yates also warned that businesses should be cautious about what they put into public AI platforms, sharing real-life examples of businesses that have put confidential information into Chat GPT and the implications it had on the company.

In summary, artificial intelligence can be leveraged to enhance efficiency and decision-making, but it’s important to align AI initiatives with your business goals and consider factors like data privacy and ethics throughout the process.

Breakfast with the Chair events are hosted by Choose DuPage, with Hon. Deborah Conroy, DuPage County Board Chair. This series of events is an opportunity for local business leaders to connect, learn and discuss important topics effecting DuPage County. Special thanks to Hamilton Partners for hosting us at their Hamilton Lakes office development in Itasca.

CoStar’s Quarterly List of Market-Leading Deals Include Two DuPage County Office Leases

August 11, 2023
DuPage office leases

Top Office Leases Recognized for Chicago

Published by: CoStar Research | August 2, 2023 

Prominent office leases signed by Molson Coors, Antares Capital and Raymond James negotiated by top dealmakers from Riverside Investment & Development and Cushman & Wakefield are among the second-quarter office leases recognized by CoStar.

As big-ticket items involving sizable investments, commercial property transactions often have a wider impact within the community. CoStar will recognize the largest leases completed each quarter and the dealmakers who made them happen in their respective markets.

Here are the Chicago office leases selected as the second-quarter 2023 winners of the CoStar Power Broker Quarterly Deal Awards:

Molson Coors
320 S. Canal St., Chicago, IL
Space Leased: 83,848 SF
Deal Type: New Lease
Size: 1,497,211 SF

Molson Coors, the wholesaler of popular beverages including Blue Moon, Coors, Miller and Topo Chico, finalized a lease in the second quarter to move its headquarters across the Chicago River to the BMO Tower in 2024. The beer giant is slated to occupy the 34th through 36th floors of the tower developed and owned by Riverside Investment & Development. The deal is the latest example of the so-called flight to quality across the country, with tenants moving into newer, higher-end spaces. For Molson Coors, the never-used space at BMO Tower is less than half the roughly 167,000 square feet it now leases just across the river about a block east at 250 S. Wacker Drive.

Antares Capital
320 S. Canal St., Chicago, IL
Space Leased: 79,657 SF
Deal Type: New Lease

Set to join Molson Coors is Antares Capital, a financial services firm that signed a rare relocation and expansion at BMO Tower. The company currently occupies 69,646 square feet at 500 W. Monroe St., though it will occupy nearly 80,000 square feet when it moves to BMO Tower. The skyscraper opened last year along Union Station and includes a 1.5-acre, privately owned park along the west side of the building. It is now more than 70% leased.

Raymond James
120 S. Riverside Plaza, Chicago, IL 
Space Leased: 58,196 SF
Deal Type: New Lease

Investment banking giant Raymond James is opening a new Chicago office after signing a lease at 120 S. Riverside Plaza. Owned by Ivanhoe Cambridge for a decade, the 22-story tower includes a recently renovated lobby, two redeveloped plazas, a fitness center, tenant lounges and on-site restaurants. Other tenants in the building include Husch Blackwell, Home Partners of America and Levenfeld Pearlstein.

Sikich
1415 W. Diehl Road, Naperville, IL
Space Leased: 42,895 SF
Deal Type: Renewal

National information technology management firm Sikich signed a lease for a new office at Hub 1415. The Naperville office is the company’s headquarters and houses its specialized training and development program for employees, dubbed Sikich University. Hub 1415 is a Class-A office building consisting of two properties connected by a skyway. The building also offers a full-service cafeteria, on-site parking, multiple tenant lounges and outdoor areas.

Barstool Sports
400 N. Noble St., Chicago, IL 
Space Leased: 39,251 SF
Deal Type: New Lease
Size: 58,765 SF

Sports and pop culture media company Barstool Sports signed a deal to occupy 39,251 square feet at The Bishop building in Chicago. Given Barstool Sports’ youthful brand image, the company requires an office environment that fosters creativity, collaboration and innovation. The new location will include a full-size basketball court, a golf simulator, music studios and other space for media content creation. NanoGraf leasing the remainder of the building for its new corporate headquarters.

HNTB
1 S. Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 
Space Leased: 32,176 SF
Deal Type: New Lease

HNTB signed a lease in One South Wacker where the engineering firm will open its first office in Illinois. HNTB operates in 34 states and primarily focuses on infrastructure needs. One South Wacker, also known as OSW, opened in 1982 and is home to such tenants as Invenergy, Rise Interactive, Charles River Associates and Avison Young. The 601W Cos. owns the Helmut Jahn-designed building.

Insight Global
353 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL 
Space Leased: 27,043 SF
Deal Type: Renewal

Insight Global renewed its offices in Mesirow’s headquarters building at 353 N. Clark St. in River North. The staffing agency has leased space in the building since 2014, the same year building owner Heitman acquired the property for $715 million.

Helix Logistics
227 W. Monroe St., Chicago, IL 
Space Leased: 25,632 SF
Deal Type: New Lease

Helix Logistics provides logistics and transportation services to clients. The company will open a new office at The Franklin after reaching a deal with building owner Tishman Speyer for the 42nd floor of the 60-story tower. The high-rise was built in 1989 in the city’s Loop business district and is also home to Eversheds Sutherland, AllianceBernstein, Madison Capital Funding and Steptoe.

Roetzel & Andress
70 W. Madison St., Chicago, IL 
Space Leased: 23,909 SF
Deal Type: Sublease

National law firm Roetzel & Andress has elected to move to a larger office at 70 W. Madison St. in downtown Chicago. The firm leased 23,909 square feet on the 30th floor for five years. Moving to a larger office indicates the firm’s intention to expand its presence in downtown Chicago and grow in key practice areas, including its recently added cybersecurity practice. The firm’s previous Chicago office was at 30 N. LaSalle St.

Kone
3333 Warrenville Road, Lisle, IL 
Space Leased: 22,238 SF
Deal Type: New Lease

Kone signed a lease in Central Park of Lisle where the Finnish elevator company will establish its U.S. headquarters. GFH Financial Group, an Islamic investment bank previously known as Gulf Finance House, owns the Broadcom-anchored building.

For more information about available office space in DuPage County, IL please contact Choose DuPage.

Innovation in Manufacturing & Chicagoland’s Advantages

August 11, 2023
Advanced manufacturing dupage

World Business Chicago recently published a new research report, Innovation in Manufacturing & Chicagoland’s Advantages. This comprehensive report delves into the transformative impact of innovation on the Chicago region’s thriving $99 billion manufacturing industry, which as of 2022, stands as the nation’s second largest.

As the manufacturing sector faces growing competition in an increasingly globalized economy, the industry has embraced innovative technologies and processes to maintain its leadership position. With over 410,000 employees working in the Chicago region’s manufacturing sector, the adoption of tools such as automation, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things (IoT) has revolutionized operational efficiency and productivity across the 12,000+ manufacturing firms in the area.

One key highlight of the report is the collaboration between manufacturers, suppliers, and academic institutions to foster innovation within the sector. This cooperative approach has led to the formation of robust innovation ecosystems that empower the industry with a distinct competitive advantage.

Key Findings from the Report include:

  • Diverse Innovators: The report reveals that for every high-tech manufacturer engaged in innovation, there are three fabricated metal manufacturers actively innovating. This indicates a widespread commitment to advancing manufacturing processes and technologies across the sector.
  • Knowledge Exchange: Most manufacturers in the Chicagoland region rely on their customers or suppliers to provide specialized knowledge that cannot be acquired or developed in-house. This collaborative approach encourages knowledge sharing and promotes open innovation initiatives.
  • Regional Advantage: Chicagoland offers manufacturers a unique edge, as they can access a robust ecosystem of suppliers and customers within the region. Astonishingly, manufacturers in Chicago source nearly 50% of their inputs in-region, further solidifying the area’s status as a manufacturing hub.
  • Diverse Government Support: Nearly half of the manufacturers using government support for innovation reported using programs other than tax incentives or credits. This highlights the diversity of initiative available to foster innovation in the region.
  • Illinois as an Innovation Hub: The report underscores Illinois’ prominence as a hub for innovation, ranking #5 in the U.S. for its contributions to the advancement of technology and manufacturing.

“The World Business Chicago’s Research Center is excited to present this report that delves into what manufacturers need in order to successfully innovate and the critical role of innovation in driving the success of the manufacturing industry in the Chicagoland region,” said Robin Ficke, SVP, Research, World Business Chicago. “The findings underscore the impact of our dynamic and collaborative manufacturing ecosystem, positioning the region as a key player in shaping the future of the manufacturing landscape.”

The Innovation in Manufacturing & Chicagoland’s Advantages report showcases the regional commitment, by and through the Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership, to staying at the forefront of technological advancements to drive sustainable growth for the region’s manufacturing industry.

To access the full report and learn more about the innovative strides made by the Chicagoland manufacturing sector, please visit [https://infograph.venngage.com/pl/ifI7Kt8rVAc]

CNBC’s Annual Top States for Business Rankings Show Continued Improvement for Illinois Four Years Running

August 11, 2023
Naperville Illinois

Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) recently highlighted Illinois’ top rankings in CNBC’s 2023 Top States for Business publication – an annual report that ranks states based on 10 broad categories of competitiveness. This year, Illinois ranked in the top 10 in the nation for four categories of competitiveness, and six categories in the top 20. Illinois is ranked 17th best state for business, rising ahead two spots from the 2022 ranking and up from 30th in the 2019 ranking.

Highlights include:

  • #2 in the nation for infrastructure (up from #3 in ‘22)
  • #2 in the nation for education (up from #6 in ‘22)
  • #6 in the nation for access to capital (up from #8 in ‘22)
  • #9 in the nation for cost of living (up from #20 in ‘22)

“I couldn’t be prouder that we’re outpacing more and more states, and now CNBC has ranked Illinois number two in the nation for both infrastructure and education,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Over the last four years, our Rebuild Illinois Capital Plan has been modernizing our transportation systems. Our higher education institutions have become more affordable and have risen in college rankings. We’ve invested historic levels of funding into early childhood education and K-12 schools which now rank 6th in the nation by US News and World Report. Illinois is improving our economic prospects by focusing on the long term. Here’s to continued improvement in 2024.”

“Illinois stands out as one of the best states in the nation, and as leaders, we know it is the people who make our state so great,” said Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton. “Since day one, our administration has been committed to the work that ensures Illinoisans can thrive so we can go even further together. By investing in our schools, infrastructure, and businesses, we are championing an Illinois that soars to greater heights.”

Through the landmark $45 billion Rebuild Illinois initiative, Illinois has made unprecedented investments to modernize roads, bridges, airports, and ports – resulting in:

  • The complete renovation of more than 5,300 miles of highway and almost 500 bridges
  • More than 750 accessibility and safety improvements

Illinois has long been known for its superior infrastructure, boasting top freight access, miles of interstate highway, and accessibility to 80 percent of locations in the continental U.S. within four hours through Illinois’ superior airports. Over the next six years, Illinois will invest an additional $13.96 billion to continue its full-scale infrastructure revitalization that will enhance all modes of transportation across the state.

Additionally, the Pritzker Administration has prioritized sustained year over year investments in education from cradle to career. Most recently passing Smart Start Illinois, building upon the state’s strong educational foundation by ensuring students have access to high-quality early education for generations to come. Governor Pritzker’s administration has overseen the largest early childhood investments in state history, totaling in over $1 billion to support early childhood care and education. Smart Start Illinois begins a major push across birth-to-five programs, which includes:

  • Pre-school expansion to eliminate preschool deserts and cover every child
  • Improve early intervention services to allow thousands of children to overcome developmental challenges
  • Enhance Illinois’ nation-leading home visiting program
  • Raises for early childhood workers and providers

Illinois ranks sixth in the nation in K-12 education, with funding being increased this year by an additional $525 million, including $350 million for evidence-based funding and $45 million for the first year of an innovative three-year pilot program to fill teacher vacancies.

Governor Pritzker has also increased MAP Grant and AIM High funding to a record-breaking, all-time high of more than $750 million, making it possible for nearly every eligible student at or below median income to attend community college for free.

“Thanks to Governor Pritzker and the General Assembly, Illinois has stronger business attraction incentives than ever before and the state is building momentum,” said DCEO Director Kristin Richards. “Combined with our world-class infrastructure, superior education system, and a reasonable cost of living, Illinois continues to grow its economy and improve quality of life for Illinoisans.”

In addition to Infrastructure, Education, Access to Capital and Cost of Living, Illinois ranked among the top 20 states for Life, Health, and Inclusion (17th) – which measures quality of life metrics such as health care, worker protection, voting rights and other data points. Illinois also ranked 14th for Technology & Innovation, which looks at the number of patents, research and similar measures.

The positive rankings in key competitive categories come as Illinois is experiencing a record-setting year for economic development, including ranking #2 in the nation for corporate investment and #1 for workforce development in the Midwest by Site Selection Magazine. Illinois also shattered its record for film production spending (nearly $700 million) and reached an all-time high for hotel revenues in FY23.

Additionally, Illinois reached $1 trillion GDP for the first time in 2022 and nearly tripled companies’ capital investments through EDGE agreements from 2019 pre-pandemic levels to $1 billion in 2022.

Over the past several years, Illinois has launched new business attraction incentives while making improvements to its existing suite. Recent programs and improvements to business attraction include:

  • Invest in Illinois Fund: $400 million closing fund provides discretionary grant assistance for large projects with significant job creation and capital investments.
  • Reimagining Energy & Vehicles Illinois (REV Illinois): Up to 100% income tax withholding for new jobs created in the EV/clean energy manufacturing sectors, among other benefits.
  • Economic Development for a Growing Economy (EDGE) Program: With more than $1 billion in investment from companies receiving EDGE credits in 2022, EDGE is Illinois’ premier incentive program. EDGE provides competitive tax incentives to businesses in all industries locating or expanding in Illinois.
  • Data Centers Investment Program: Provides qualifying data center owners and operators with highly competitive exemptions from a variety of state and local taxes.
  • Enterprise Zones (EZ) and High Impact Business (HIB): Enterprise Zones provide various benefits including building material sales tax exemptions, utility tax exemptions (natural gas and electricity), and investment tax credits.
  • Manufacturing Illinois Chips for a Real Opportunity (MICRO): Provides incentives for manufacturers of microchips and semiconductor parts for job creation/retention benefits, training cost benefits, credits for construction jobs, and investment credits.

Originally published by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

ComEd Announces New Programs to Accelerate Adoption of EVs Across Northern Illinois

August 11, 2023
Electric Vehicle

$231 million investment to expand electrification includes new EV Charging Delivery Rate option to incentivize charging buildout; Expanded EV training for municipalities adds 15 new communities

ComEd joined with regional and municipal leaders to unveil its latest programs designed to accelerate the adoption of electrified technologies, including electric vehicles (EVs), in northern Illinois. As part of ComEd’s $231 million investment in new customer programs geared toward removing barriers to electrification, ComEd announced a new EV Charging Delivery Rate option to incentivize the buildout of an expanded network of EV charging infrastructure to meet a growing need in the northern Illinois region.

Additionally, ComEd and the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus (MMC) announced the expansion of a unique program helping local governments shape plans for EV adoption. The EV Readiness program welcomes 15 new communities to work together to develop policies and programs to safely integrate EVs and EV charging programs in their communities.

Together, ComEd’s investments and partnerships to enable the electrification of transportation, buildings and industry will play a key role in addressing the impacts of climate change and enhancing air quality for all communities and advance the goals of the state’s Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), which sets a goal of putting 1 million EVs on Illinois roads by 2030. 

“ComEd is committed to helping more residential and business customers transition to zero emissions technologies needed to build a cleaner, more resilient future for all,” said ComEd CEO Gil C. Quiniones. “Working in collaboration with state, municipal and regional partners, ComEd is offering new programs to help remove barriers to going electric at home, on the road and at work – with a special focus on underserved communities that have been hit hardest by carbon emissions.”

EVs are on the rise in Illinois, with nearly 70,000 registered with the state today, and more being registered every month. The development of adequate EV charging infrastructure is essential to supporting customers in making the transition to an EV and reducing range anxiety. Thousands more chargers will be needed in the years ahead to support new state goals for expanding EVs, with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory estimating between 18,000-36,000 additional fast charging stations needed statewide.

NEW COMMERCIAL RATE OPTION

To accelerate investment in charging infrastructure, ComEd is now offering an EV Charging Delivery Rate option. This new rate option is available to all nonresidential customers with EV charging and provides them with a cost-effective alternative to demand-based delivery rates. This will help business customers that are expected to have low charger utilization in the near term as the electrification efforts continue to grow in northern Illinois. All nonresidential customers are eligible, including: public sector, businesses, mass transit agencies, and other commercial categories.

“As we move towards developing a new fueling infrastructure for the state – the utility role will only become more critical. ComEd’s new rate options will complement the state’s investment in charging infrastructure and help create an expansive public charging network in Illinois,” said Megha Lakhchaura, State of Illinois EV Officer. “We hope to see continued initiatives from ComEd that align with the state’s attempts to accelerate the transition to zero-emission vehicles and fight climate change.”

“To date, ChargePoint has helped our customers in Illinois deploy thousands of public and private charging stations — and these new programs will allow us to expedite that work in the coming years,” said Matthew Deal, Senior Manager of Regulatory Policy, ChargePoint. “ComEd’s programs will lower the cost of operating EV charging stations while helping finance the actual deployment of this critical infrastructure.”

The transition to electric technologies, including EVs, offers customers a way to lower their carbon footprint while at the same enhancing air quality across our communities. ComEd’s new investments in electrification are projected to lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by over 400,000 metric tons over the life of the plan, the equivalent of the amount of carbon sequestered by approximately 500,000 acres of U.S. forests in one year.

“This plan is clear evidence ComEd listened carefully and got the message loud and clear, communities like ours and towns and villages across Illinois need help if we expect to accelerate the transition to beneficial electrification and meet the state’s climate change goals,” said Billy Davis, Co-Founder, General Manager, JitneyEV, LLC. “These customer-focused programs and incentives go a long way to helping us get there.”

Additional customer programs to incentivize and accelerate the adoption of EVs and other electrified technologies will be rolled out in coming months as part of ComEd’s three-year, $231 million investment. These programs, which include new rebates, make-ready infrastructure support, and pilot studies, are designed to support a transition to cleaner technologies and were informed by feedback gathered last year from hundreds of participants representing communities, health advocacy, industry, local business, school districts and other customer groups across the service region.

“Commercial EV rates and make-ready programs are both market accelerants for transportation electrification,” said Sara Rafalson, SVP of Market Development, Public Policy, and External affairs for EVgo. “Through the Beneficial Electrification Plan, ComEd has laid the foundation to rapidly grow third-party investments in public charging. We look forward to growing our fast charging footprint in ComEd’s service territory over the coming years to serve EV drivers across Chicagoland and Northern Illinois.”

EV READINESS PROGRAM FOR GOVERNMENTS

ComEd and MMC today also announced its continued investment in the EV Readiness program, a collaboration with the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, launched to help local governments prepare to meet the growing demand for EVs and EV charging infrastructure. ComEd’s renewed support for the program will also serve a second cohort of communities set to participate in the program, announced today. These include:

  • Batavia
  • Bensenville
  • Berwyn
  • DuPage County
  • Elgin
  • Evanston
  • Hickory Hills
  • Highland Park
  • Montgomery
  • Northbrook
  • Park Forest
  • Peotone
  • River Forest
  • Wilmette
  • Woodstock

“ComEd’s investments in electrification have been essential as community leaders move to reach new climate goals, navigate funding opportunities, and adopt local policies that will make EV integration safe and equitable for the residents and businesses they serve,” said Kevin Burns, Metropolitan Mayors Caucus Environment Committee and Energy Subcommittee Chairman. “We are thrilled to welcome a second cohort of communities committed to achieving EV readiness through this program, and thank ComEd for its continued partnership in helping communities meet new demand for EV access, and the environmental benefits that comes with it.”

The EV Readiness program kicked off last year, working with a diverse cohort of 16 communities to support safe and effective plans for regional transportation electrification.  In addition to developing local plans, participation in the program has also helped position communities for competitive funding opportunities designed to support electrification. 

ComEd’s investments to support EV adoption align with its proposals filed with regulators earlier this year to enable the power grid to support the increasing number of EVs and solar resources while ensuring continued resiliency in the face of more severe and frequent weather events. ComEd’s proposed plans will build on ComEd’s record-setting reliability performance, ensuring the benefits of the clean energy transformation in Illinois are shared equitably by ComEd customers, while balancing affordability.

ComEd is a unit of Chicago-based Exelon Corporation (NASDAQ: EXC), a Fortune 250 energy company with approximately 10 million electricity and natural gas customers – the largest number of customers in the U.S. ComEd powers the lives of more than 4 million customers across northern Illinois, or 70 percent of the state’s population. For more information visit ComEd.com, and connect with the company on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

DuPage County and Greater Chicagoland Dominate Newsweek’s Greatest Workplaces 2023

August 9, 2023
Greatest Workplaces DuPage County, IL

Newsweek recently released their annual list of America’s Greatest Workplaces. Of the 1,000 organizations recognized, 58 are located in Illinois, including 10 in DuPage and 50 in Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership counties Cook, Lake, Will and DuPage.

More Illinois businesses were named than any other state, except for Texas, New York and California.

Companies that made the list scored high on key employee satisfaction indicators, including salary, benefits, equality, work-life balance and health, among others. While these scores indicate exceptional employee experiences, they often translate to better outcomes for businesses and customers alike.

“Employees who like their work are more productive, and these employers have lower turnover rates,” says Newsweek’s Global Editor in Chief Nancy Cooper. “By staying at companies longer, loyal employees contribute to organizational stability and consistency. Ultimately, this enhances the bottom line.

“In an economic climate where the job market remains competitive despite fears of a recession, employers who stand out as America’s Greatest Workplaces may find they have substantial advantages over their competitors.”

See which Illinois businesses made the list below – and learn more about Chicagoland’s pro-people, pro-business environment.

Meet the 58 Illinois Businesses Recognized as America’s Greatest Workplaces of 2023

COMPANY

COUNTY

INDUSTRY
1888 Mills DuPage Financial and Business Services
AAR Corp. DuPage Energy, Resources and Industrials
Abbott Lake Healthcare and Services
Ace Hardware DuPage Technology, Media, Telecom
Adventist Health Partners   Healthcare and Services
Advocate Aurora Health DuPage Healthcare and Services
Aldridge Group Lake Energy, Resources and Industrials
Baxter Lake Healthcare and Services
BMO Harris Cook Financial and Business Services
C.H.I. Overhead Doors Douglas Energy, Resources and Industrials
Cabot Microelectronics DuPage Energy, Resources and Industrials
Conagra Brands Cook Consumer
ConGlobal DuPage Energy, Resources and Industrials
Country Financial McLean Financial and Business Services
D&W Fine Pack DuPage Financial and Business Services
Discover Lake Financial and Business Services
Eagle Express Lines Cook Energy, Resources and Industrials
Exelon Cook Energy, Resources and Industrials
F&F Realty Cook Financial and Business Services
F.H. Paschen Cook Energy, Resources and Industrials
GoHealth Cook Financial and Business Services
GrubHub Cook Technology, Media, Telecom
Guaranteed Rate Cook Financial and Business Services
HCSC Cook Financial and Business Services
Hollister Lake Consumer
Hub International DuPage Financial and Business Services
Hyatt Cook Consumer
IBJI Cook Healthcare and Services
Illinois Tool Works Lake Energy, Resources and Industrials
Circana Cook Technology, Media, Telecom
J.F Electric Madison Energy, Resources and Industrials
JLL Cook Financial and Business Services
Kay & Associates Lake Financial and Business Services
Kearney Cook Financial and Business Services
L&W Supply Cook Energy, Resources and Industrials
Lacosta Lake Consumer
LKQ Corporation Cook Consumer
Medline Lake Healthcare and Services
Molson Coors Cook Consumer
Mondelez Cook Consumer
Northwest Community Hospital Cook Healthcare and Services
PCA Lake Energy, Resources and Industrials
Prairie Farms Madison Consumer
Readerlink DuPage Consumer
S&C Electric Company Cook Energy, Resources and Industrials
S&S Activewear Will Consumer
Sears Hometown Stores Cook Technology, Media, Telecom
Siemens Cook Energy, Resources and Industrials
Smith Drug Company Sangamon Healthcare and Services
Tharaldson Hospitality Johnson Consumer
Ulta Will Consumer
United Airlines Cook Energy, Resources and Industrials
US Foods Cook Consumer
Weber DuPage Consumer
YASH Technologies Rock Island Technology, Media, Telecom
YMCA Cook Consumer
Zebra Technologies Lake Technology, Media, Telecom

Greater Chicagoland Provides a Pro-People, Pro-Business Environment

DuPage County and Greater Chicagoland attract top employers with a business-friendly climate, while providing an environment that fosters a strong, healthy workforce.

DuPage is currently ranked as the #1 healthiest county in Illinois, offering access to quality health services for residents and encouraging balanced lifestyles. The Greater Chicagoland region, meanwhile, offers some of the state’s best public schools, as well as world-class arts and culture, beautiful parks, safe neighborhoods, and access to excellent public services.

Together, these factors create an environment that’s not only pro-business, but pro-people, improving employee satisfaction scores and fostering a strong workforce that, in turn, powers strong businesses.

Investing in the regional workforce has helped Chicagoland continue to attract top businesses. Site Selection Magazine recently named the Chicago region the #1 U.S. metro for business for the tenth year running. The publication also ranked DuPage as the #9 county for business growth.

Discover DuPage County’s World-Class Workforce

With a population nearly 1 million strong – and the Chicagoland talent pool right next door – the DuPage County workforce is diverse, educated, skilled, and ready for tomorrow.

[Learn More about Our Workforce]

Explore the Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership

The Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership (GCEP) is a strategic alliance of the City of Chicago and seven Northern Illinois counties: Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry and Will. GCEP’s members work collaboratively to promote the region’s collective assets, drive investment, and empower Chicagoland to compete on a global scale.

[Learn More about Our Regional Collaboration]