Illinois boasts many benefits for its family and business residents. From a sprawling urban center to industrial hubs and the most fertile farmland in the world, our state continues to provide a diverse backdrop for economic success. Business in the Prairie State thrives, despite occasional bouts with political scandal and questionable management of government finances. Illinois’ nation-sized economy has evolved and progressed through a plethora of markets.

In short, Illinois is still fertile ground for business.

To further speak to these benefits and opportunities afforded to Illinois businesses, Doug Whitley, president and CEO of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce from 2001 to 2014, composed an op-ed piece entitled “Why Illinois?” shedding light on the many strengths of Illinois’ business community, how our government can improve our business climate, our storied business history and where we truly stand in the national and global economy.

Whitley writes in his piece, “The goal for every public official should be to promote prosperity and job growth so the citizens of our state can achieve self-sufficiency and a better quality of life.”

To read the op-ed in its entirety, click here.