Governor Visits Illinois Science Technology Park in Skokie

SKOKIE, IL – Governor Bruce Rauner visited the Illinois Science + Technology Park (ISTP) Friday, praising the park's roles as an incubator for entrepreneurship and pledging to encourage more firms to relocate to the Skokie site.

Rauner spoke to a crowd of several hundred people, including some of the roughly 1,400 employees who work at the 25 businesses located at the ISTP.

“The Illinois Science and Technology Park is on the forefront of innovation to help grow Illinois. This facility allows for smaller companies to grow and flourish,” Rauner said. “In order to move Illinois forward, we have to continue to invest in small businesses that our transforming our economy."

» VIDEO: Raw video of Rauner's March 31 visit to the ISTP

ISTP is a corporate research campus and office space for science and technology companies. It's tenants include LanzaTech, Northshore University Health System, start-ups originating from Northwestern University (like Exicure. a clinical stage biotech company, pictured above), multinational companies and others.

During his tour of the ISTP, Rauner discussed the importance of innovation and technology in Illinois economy and his proposed changes to increase job growth.

"We need to make structural changes to get our state back on track," he said.

Rauner's office said his administration has delivered unprecedented funding for grade schools and put more emphasis on apprenticeships to create a well-trained workforce.

It said it is currently working to cut the red tape throughout state agencies and making it easier for people to do their jobs safely and efficiently.

Top photo: Gov. Rauner, Skokie Mayor George Van Dusen, Al Gluck of new ISPT owners American Landmark Properties