b'PRESIDENTS MESSAGELeadership Insights from the 2024 LandscapeDear Illinois Chamber Members, welcomed openly with hospitality As I write this letter, I celebrate theand a desire to engage and have the first anniversary of my role as theChamber work for them. Here, I leader of the Illinois Chamber. I wantheard of the economic challenges to take a moment to reflect on theyou all face, but mainly of the incredible journey weve shared andopportunities to balance government express my heartfelt gratitude forand the private sector and the need your support and dedication. to develop a competitive business When we first came together aclimate for our great state. year ago, our goal was to engage thisAs we engaged in our strategic iteration of Chamber 2.0. In a typicalplanning process, we rooted it in our iterative fashion, the 2.0 version ofVision Statement: LOU SANDOVAL storied organizations like the IllinoisThe Illinois Chamber of Commerce PRESIDENT AND CEO Chamber is the next generation ofis the pre-eminent business what the chamber has been for theorganization of choice with Businesses of Illinois. Your Advocatethe impact of transforming the and Voice as it has been since thecommercial experience for all the chamber was first organized in 1919. businesses in the state by creating It isnt that previous versions werea business climate supportive of ineffective; instead, it is that thegrowth for all existing and new business climate in the state compelsbusinesses.us to adapt our game, if you might,This Vision is rooted in our to meet the evolving needs andfoundational and shared values: challenges of businesses of all types.Integrity, Collaboration, Leadership, All good organizations look withinTransparency, and Accountability. to doing so continually, which is theThese values crystalize who we are journey we have been on this year.with each other as a team and, most As I set out one year ago, I wasimportantly, how we will engage tasked with assessing the landscapewith our members and business of the Illinois business environmentcolleagues. and revisiting the strategic plan thatOur mission: As the leading will guide us over the next five years.business organization in Illinois, In this assessment, I had the honor ofthe Illinois Chamber of Commerce visiting areas of the state such as Mt.is dedicated to advocating for a Vernon, Effingham, The Quad Cities,competitive business environment East St. Louis, Marion, Chicago,that is pro-growth, Pro-Business, Schaumburg Corridor, DuPageand pro-Illinois for all businesses.County, and many others. On thisAside from our signature listening tour, I enjoyed seeingChamber Day and Annual Luncheon, the diversity and richness of thewe launched a few successful new Illinois Business Community. I wasinitiatives in this first year:2ILLINOIS BUSINESS LEADER'