Sente Business Retention Initiative Passes Both Chambers

Vernon Hills, Ill. – Seeking to improve the business climate in Illinois, State Rep. Carol Sente, D-Vernon Hills, recently passed legislation out of both chambers of the Illinois General Assembly requiring the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) to develop a strategic economic development plan for border counties.

"As a former business owner and Chair of the House Business Growth and Incentives Committee, I understand how vital it is that Illinois continue to focus on efforts to not only attract new businesses, but also nurture existing ones,” Sente said. “We have an obligation to the business community to lay out a clear economic vision for Illinois that will help restore their faith in our state and most importantly, put Illinois residents back to work.”

House Bill 3829 builds upon Sente’s economic development efforts from last year by tasking the newly formed Business Development Council with reviewing neighboring states’ best practices for economic development, as well as business incentives, attraction, and retention. These ideas will then be incorporated into their annual strategic business development plan with a specific focus on counties in Illinois that border another state.

“In addition to regularly meeting with area employers and hosting various outreach events to give businesses a strategic advantage, it is important that we also look to see what neighboring states are doing to remain competitive and foster growth,” Sente said. “Our district is fortunate to have many large employers located within, including several Fortune 500 companies, and legislation such as this can help to better the economic climate not only for them, but for our small businesses as well.”