Sente Hosts Roundtable Discussion with Economic Development Leaders

LINCOLNSHIRE, IL – Last week, State Rep. Carol Sente (D-Vernon Hills) held a business roundtable discussion with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), local officials, and area business leaders to discuss economic development in the region.

“It is important to develop a multi-faceted economic development, job creation and business growth plan that incorporates input from both the public and private sector to help Illinois get back to work,” Sente said. “I believe my role as a state legislator is to organize these discussions and rally people together to brainstorm ideas to spur progress throughout the state, and identify ways in which we can better coordinate state incentives with regional and local economic development efforts.”

Sente’s roundtable included presentations from Lake County Partners and DCEO on their current economic development efforts. The needs of the business community and educational institutions were discussed, and the group also reviewed how Illinois compares to other states in terms of attracting and retaining businesses, partnering with regional economic development agencies and local government, communicating Illinois’ strengths, and working with academia.

“I am hopeful that DCEO will conduct a performance review of past strategies, as well as make improvements towards a more structured and transparent system of incentives for small businesses and large companies, so that everyone is aware of how taxpayer dollars are being used to attract and retain jobs,” Sente said. “Every effective state agency should continually evaluate what is working, to model future plans off of those that have produced positive results.”

Those in attendance on Friday included Adam Pollet, Acting Director of the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO); Dan Seals, Deputy Director (DCEO); Ted Berger, Legislative Liaison (DCEO); Angelo Kyle, Regional Economic Director (DCEO); Aaron Lawlor, Lake County Board Chairman; Barry Burton, Lake County Administrator; Marvin Bembry, Regional Director of State Government Affairs for AbbVie, Rebecca Kline, Director of Federal Audit & SALT Compliance for AbbVie; Dr. Jerry Weber, President of the College of Lake County; Dr. Michael Welch, President of Rosalind Franklin University; Jim Kaput, General Counsel for Zebra Technologies; Charles Lamphere, President & CEO of Van Vlissingen & Co.; and Michael Stevens, President & CEO of Lake County Partners. Sente hopes to host additional meetings and tours of area companies this summer.

For more information, please call Sente’s full time constituent service office at (847) 478-9909, or
e-mail RepSente@gmail.com.