Lake County Partners

06/08/2026

We were thrilled to recently join our fellow Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership (GCEP) partners in welcoming an international delegation of business leaders to town for the SelectCHI tour - a unique opportunity to highlight our region's talent, diverse economy and incredible business assets.

Chicagoland's unity continues to impress, as the region racks up business wins, scores major accolades, and breaks economic development records. Whether its companies in life science, clean technology, energy, food manufacturing or other industries, Chicagoland is the perfect place for growing businesses.

Our thanks to the teams at World Business Chicago for leading SelectChi and at Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning for hosting this important event. Thanks also to our fellow special speakers:

Mason Awtry, CEO, Wurkwel Ventures, LLC
Greg Bedalov, President and CEO, Choose DuPage
Dain Meza-Gotto, Director of Workforce Development, Joliet Junior College
Meredith O'Connor, Leader for Economic Incentives and National Site Selection Division, JLL

Learn more about doing business in Lake County here: https://hubs.li/Q04kx5B_0

06/05/2026

Economic growth doesn't happen by chance—it happens through strong partnerships, strategic investments and a commitment to business success.

As Lake County's non-profit economic development organization, we help businesses start, grow, relocate and expand through a suite of no-cost services, including:

• Site selection and real estate assistance
• Business expansion and relocation support
• Workforce and talent attraction resources
• Connections to incentives and financing opportunities
• Economic and demographic data and market insights
• Introductions to key business, government and community leaders
• Navigation of local processes and permitting resources
• Access to strategic partnerships and networking opportunities

By connecting businesses with the resources, relationships and information, we drive investment, create jobs and strengthen the region's economy. See how we can help your business thrive in Lake County: https://hubs.li/Q04kh_qm0

06/05/2026

Join us July 16 for the University Fair + Scholarship Workshop!
RSVP your Spot: www.ucenter.org/events/university-fair-1

Meet with 14 accredited Illinois Universities and Discover 100+ Programs & Certificates plus scholarships offered at the University Center of Lake County, Grayslake Campus!

Come Here, Go Far!

06/04/2026

🔬 Big news for Chicagoland: we've been named one of the Top 10 U.S. Biopharma Clusters for 2026 by Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News! This recognition reinforces what many of us already know: Chicagoland is a powerful and growing force in life sciences.

What makes our region stand out isn't just our legacy companies—it's the full ecosystem, including:

🏥 World-class research institutions and academic medical centers

🧬 Global industry leaders like AbbVie, Abbott, Astellas Pharma, Baxter International Inc., and a growing network of innovative startups

💡 Expanding incubators, accelerators, and lab infrastructure supporting the next generation of biotech entrepreneurs

👩‍🔬 Deep scientific, clinical, and manufacturing talent

🤝 Strong collaboration across industry, academia, healthcare, and government

The GEN ranking highlighted continued investment in the region, including AbbVie's planned expansion of API manufacturing in the City of North Chicago and the growth of startup infrastructure such as Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science's Helix 51 incubator. The region also ranks among the nation's leaders in The National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding and life sciences employment.

As competition for life sciences investment intensifies across the country, Chicagoland continues to prove that innovation doesn't only happen on the coasts. We have the talent, the institutions, the infrastructure, and the momentum to be a destination for breakthrough science and biopharma growth.

Mid-cap buyers, improved capital raising climate, and reshoring of manufacturing are shaping how much and where biopharmas choose to grow.

06/03/2026

What happens when communities choose collaboration over competition? In this episode of Develop This Podcast, Kevin Considine, our president and CEO and Board Chair of the Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership (GCEP), shares how regional alignment is helping position Chicagoland as a global leader in business attraction, logistics, innovation, and economic growth.

Learn how trust, shared strategy, and leveraging assets like O'Hare International Airport are creating new opportunities across the region. A must-listen for economic development professionals, business leaders, and anyone interested in the future of regional growth:

What happens when competing communities decide to collaborate instead? In this episode, sits down with , Board Chair of the and CEO of , and shares how a coalition of counties around Chicago is redefining economic development through regional alignment. Kevin unpacks the origins and evolution of the...

06/02/2026

A new month means new opportunities to tap into events and jump start a rewarding career. From healthcare and manufacturing to education and technology, our workforce partners are building the talent pipeline that supports both individual success and local economic growth.

There are plenty of upcoming job fairs and workforce training sessions, including an exciting new Paraprofessional to Teacher Program, which helps dedicated school support staff take the next step in their careers and become licensed educators.

See how you can leverage local resources at the Job Center of Lake County IL Lake County Workforce Development Board and kickstart your career here:

Career Solutions - June 2026 Lake County, Illinois sent this bulletin at 05/29/2026 10:00 AM CDT Translate - View as Webpage June 2026 Monthly Calendar Hire Lake County Round Lake Beach Job Fair Date: Tuesday, June 23rd, 2026Time: 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM (Veterans early access at 10:30 AM)Location: 2007...

06/01/2026

🗺️ What will economic development in Lake County look like in the coming years? That was the central question at our recent sold-out Big Event—the largest gathering of business and civic leadership in Lake County.

If you couldn't make it, or want to revisit it, you can catch the key takeaways and insights that will shape our regional workforce and economy including:

🏘️ The Housing Connection: Guest speaker Jon Roberts from TIP Strategies highlighted why housing isn't just an incidental issue—it is directly critical to talent recruitment and overall economic development strategies.

🌍 Regional & Global Collaboration: Our president and CEO Kevin Considine shared insights fresh off a GCEP delegation to Germany with World Business Chicago, emphasizing how the Chicagoland region is building globally significant partnerships.

🎓 Maximizing Homegrown Talent: We heard from local leaders on how strategic educational initiatives and cutting-edge career pathways are expanding work-based learning to connect high school and college students directly to local industry needs.

We are breaking attendance records and thinking farther down the road than ever before. Watch this new recap video from our partners at Lake County to learn how these insights can impact your business and how you can get involved in our region's growth:

https://hubs.li/Q04jGKVn0

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05/28/2026

In Lake County, innovation, entrepreneurship, and talent thrive together. We are proud to have united with our partners to foster an environment where startups, small businesses, major employers and civic leaders are all part of the same conversation about the future of our community.

We are focused on attracting business AND creating pathways for people — whether that means workforce development, mentorship, innovation ecosystems, or opportunities for the next generation to build careers close to home.

Lake County continues to show that economic development is about more than numbers. It’s about creating communities where people want to live, work, put down roots, and stay.

With recent statewide and national recognition for Lake County's high quality of life and forward-thinking economic development, it’s clear that our efforts and momentum are being noticed well beyond Illinois.

This investment is a major win for Lake County and a game-changer for the broader U.S. biomanufacturing ecosystem

05/27/2026

Proud to see two Lake County communities - the Village of Buffalo Grove and City of Waukegan - recognized on U.S. News and World Report’s “Best Places to Live in Illinois” list:
https://hubs.li/Q04j67gh0

In Chicago magazine news, the Village of Libertyville, Illinois - Government, City of Lake Forest, Illinois, and City of Highland Park, Illinois - Government were called out for being among the best suburbs in Chicagoland:
https://hubs.li/Q04j5tHx0

This recognition says a lot about what’s happening across Lake County: strong local leadership, thriving schools, diverse and growing economies, and neighborhoods where quality of life isn’t just a talking point—it’s a lived experience.

From well-maintained parks and vibrant community spaces to expanding opportunity and civic pride, Lake County continues to stand out as a place where people can truly build a future. Congratulations to the residents, businesses, educators, and public servants who contribute every day to making these communities exceptional.

U.S. News & World Report ranks the Best Places to Live in Illinois in 2026-2027.

05/26/2026

Access to high-quality early childhood education is critical to supporting working families, strengthening talent pipelines, and building long-term economic opportunity. That’s why investments like Start Early's Educare Lake County program in the City of Zion - Government matter.👷

We were thrilled to join local leaders in celebrating the groundbreaking for this transformational project, which will expand access to early learning, support workforce participation, and help ensure more children enter school ready to thrive. It’s also a powerful example of what’s possible when philanthropy, education, community organizations, and economic development partners work together toward a shared vision.

Lake County’s future workforce is being shaped today — and early childhood education is a foundational part of that future.

Read more about the impact of the recent Educare Lake County groundbreaking and the importance of investing in early learning:

The new program will fuel economic competitiveness and long-term economic prosperity in Zion while serving as inspiration across Illinois.