Let’s set the record straight on how, and why, our economy is looking up.

Under Gov. JB Pritzker’s leadership, Illinois is officially on the map as a national leader for business expansion and relocation. Site Selection Magazine, the leading publication in corporate real estate and facility planning, recently ranked Illinois No. 2 in the nation for corporate expansion and relocation projects for the third year in a row. In the same report, Chicago was named the #1 metro for the twelfth consecutive year. With 664 Illinois expansions or relocations in 2024 alone (up from 552 in 2023), it’s clear that companies are making significant investments in the state and our people. 

Illinois’ momentum is also evident in the strength of its workforce. This month, the state announced a record-high employment milestone with more than 6.17 million available jobs — surpassing the previous record set just months earlier in December. In a single month, over 140,000 new jobs were added across sectors including healthcare, education, retail and manufacturing. These gains reflect not only business confidence but also the impact of targeted funding, with the state allocating more than $100 million to job training and workforce development annually.

This growth represents both businesses setting roots in Illinois for the first time as well as those with hundreds of years of history here. For example, industry pioneer PsiQuantum is choosing to build the first utility-scale quantum computer in the United States as the anchor tenant of the future Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park on Chicago’s far South Side, projected to create thousands of jobs and $20 billion in economic impact. Another emergent company, rapidly growing EV manufacturer Rivian, is investing $1.5 billion in Central Illinois to produce its highly anticipated R2 model. Meanwhile, Wieland Rolled Products North America is building upon its century-old relationship with Illinois by investing $500 million in its East Alton facility and Sysmex America, Inc. is expanding its operations in northeast Illinois, creating 110 new full-time jobs and retaining nearly 550 existing jobs through a $20.6 million investment. With these and other pro-Illinois decisions, private sector investments in the state doubled in just one year. 

Results like these are no accident, especially not in the competitive and evolving post-pandemic landscape. Rather, this progress is a product of thoughtful and coordinated action, and the strong foundation we’ve built will ensure our strategy is a sustainable one. 

Released in 2024, the state’s 5-year Economic Growth Plan is our clearly defined vision and recipe for success. It identifies key sectors — including life sciences, logistics, advanced manufacturing, AgTech, quantum computing and more — that align with the advantages our state already has and the goals we’re pursuing. State leadership understands that, as we look to fortify our economy and support companies of all sizes, prioritizing development-ready sites, customized job training, competitive incentives and a coordinated approach is paramount. 

To bring the plan to life, the Pritzker administration has invested heavily in building what we call “Team Illinois” — consisting of the Governor’s Office, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Intersect Illinois and our vast network of partners — who operate in lockstep to aggressively and proactively pursue growth opportunities for the state. We work closely with key business organizations across the state who represent and advocate for their hundreds of members, and who know that they have a partner in Team Illinois, such as the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association and the Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association. With a common goal, we leverage our complementary strengths to ensure key decision makers are clear on Illinois’ advantages (of which there are many) and deliver results that benefit communities from Chicago to Cairo.

Let’s not forget where we, and these narratives, started. It’s no secret that our state has historically fallen short with its financial health, though it’s a new day as Illinois is currently operating under its sixth consecutive balanced budget, has eliminated its bill backlog and received nine credit upgrades in a row. Righting the economic development ship takes time, but Illinois is now fiscally stable, forward-focused and in a stronger position to attract and retain business than at any time in recent memory.

So to those who say Illinois lacks a growth strategy: We invite you to take a closer look. Illinois is not only planning for growth, we’re achieving it. Team Illinois is leading the charge through sound fiscal management, data-backed planning and an unprecedented level of collaboration between the public and private sectors — and responsible business leaders are working every day to communicate that Illinois is open for business instead of focusing on tearing our state down. 

As the governor reminds us, “Do not let the doom grifters steal your optimism about what’s ahead for Illinois. Our future is bright, and opportunity lies ahead.”

John Atkinson is Chairman of Intersect Illinois.