Monthly Archives: January 2019

Business Development and Job Creation

sightseeing
Business Development

Less than two weeks after J. B. Pritzker was inaugurated as Illinois’ 43rd governor, he guided a review to be conducted by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) on the enhanced efficiency of the use of state funds for workforce training.  The DCEO has 90 days for this project.  Pritzker said:

“It is critical that state resources are being used to meet the demands of the 21st Century,”

The idea is to offer new businesses capital, technical support and mentorship.  To date, 1871 – the nonprofit Business Incubator that Pritzker helped establish in 2012 – has already generated approximately 7,000 jobs as well as 400+ digital startups which are now in place in Chicago’s Merchandise Mart.

And then there is the Illinois solar revolution that is taking place throughout various parts of the state’s open land.  Various communities are getting on board to use solar power in an effort to meet renewable energy goals.  One example of this is Aurora which is seeking to turn half of all energy to renewable within the next decade.  Will County’s Energy and Conservation Specialist, Sam Bluemer has described what is happening as “an energy revolution.”

The initiator for this was the 2017 Future Energy Jobs Act which was established – and has successfully – set up new solar programs and incentives.  One of these is the lottery whereby developers can apply in January for renewable energy credits often needed for viability of the projects and can be used for:

  1. Residential/commercial installations
  2. large, utility-scale solar arrays
  3. small-scale solar projects known as community solar.

Keep posted for more exciting developments in 2019 in Illinois.

Upcoming Summits

Summits,
Summit

If you’re in Chicago looking to network, connect and join others in business-related summits, where should you go next month?  One place for those with green fingers is the meeting Adding Value:  Back to our Roots. Hosted by the National Floriculture Forum on 16-17 February, click here for more information.

On February 14 to 17th, the United States Hispanic Leadership Institute (USHLI) is hosting its 37th annual national conference.  This year’s theme is “Defend Democracy: Aquí y Ahora” and will take place at 301 E. North Water Street, at the Sheraton Grand Chicago Hotel.  Congressman Joaquin Castro will be one of the keynote speakers and Luis V. Gutierrez, a former congressman, will be a speaker for the Latino Leaders Recognition and USHLI.  For registration, click here.

On March 28,  there is the Family Office Deal Flow Summit organized by ResearchandMarket.com.  This is an amalgamation of family investors, dealmakers, private businesses and more.  At the one day summit they can all work on getting a mutually beneficial deal completed. Discussions and presentations that will take place will be on the following subjects:

  1. Build Your Family Office Co-Investment Network;
  2. Learn How to Structure Deals and
  3. Deal Flow & Due Diligence Best Practices.


Travels in Time

real estate,
Terra Cotta

It’s amazing how much of real estate, environment and infrastructure changes over time…and yet stays very much the same.  At the moment one example of this is what has evolved over the years at West Oakdale Avenue. 

In 2005, a new landmark was designated in Chicago within the Lakeview neighborhood.  the area between Seminary and Sheffield Streets for locals and tourists alike to check out historical buildings.  Many years ago these were home to the Northwestern Terra Cotta Company officers founded in 1878 by John True and others which became the name in terra cotta trimmings.

one of those houses – completed in 1887 – was given the name the Henry Rokham House.  that became known as The Queen of Terra Cotta Row and in 2012 had a market value of nearly $2.5million.  Featuring stained glass windows, brick etchings of a woman on a spinning wheel, unique tile work, original coach house and more, it was designed by Theodore Karls.

now, for the first time in six decades one of these properties is for sale!!! The two floor building with four bedrooms, three and a half bathrooms, and two kitchens has a 1970s vintage feel to it.  back in its day it was known as “the absolute crème de la crème.”  now it can be yours for $699,000 to enjoy leopard print carpeting, condo sports and more.  It may be somewhat outdated and in need of some modernization but the location and the story it tells brings it more than charm.

Working Moms

Employment
The Mom Project

Women can find it challenging to get back into the workforce after they have had children.  It was found that 34 percent choose not to return to their jobs.  An endeavor in Chicago is now aiming to fix that issue.  The Mom Project – a Chicago-based startup – is trying to reduce that figure by bringing moms to employers looking to hire who understand and appreciate the value a mom can bring to their firm and who will work with them to alleviate mom-based pressures. 

The startup is currently working with 75,000 women in this position. To date, they have gotten 1,000 companies internationally to see if they can make a fit with moms returning to the workforce.  The mission of the project is: “helping women remain active in the workforce in every stage in their journey.”

Some of the companies the project works with include: JLL, Sapient Razorfish, Georgia-Pacific, Miller-Coors and more.