Host Greg Bedalov joins two guests from Illinois’ economic development organization, Intersect Illinois, to discuss our biggest challenges and opportunities – and how their organization is addressing them now.

Special Guests

• Christy George, President and CEO, Intersect Illinois
• John Atkinson, Chairman, Intersect Illinois

Dive Deeper

• In this episode, Greg and his guests discuss how Illinois has emerged as a leader in quantum computing. Check out Chicago’s new Quantum Park here.
• They also mention Lion Electric, a leading EV producer that’s supporting an ecosystem of area businesses, including Merkur. Learn more about the Merkur-Lion story here.
• And finally, if you want to explore the role of science and technology in Chicagoland’s future, listen to our recent episode of the Beat: “A Conversation with a Congressman.”

A special thanks to the College of DuPage for supporting today’s episode. To keep up with what’s happening in DuPage County and the Chicagoland region, follow Choose DuPage on social media or visit ChooseDuPage.com/Ready.

Host Greg Bedalov sits down with Illinois Congressman Bill Foster, congress’ only PhD physicist, for a sweeping conversation on AI, economics and more.

Why do smarter algorithms often require more energy? How does public support drive private-sector innovation? Why are so many data centers popping up in Northern Illinois? And most importantly, how do all these pieces fit together?

Find out on the Beat.

Special Guest

• Congressman Bill Foster, representative of the 11th Congressional District of Illinois

Dive Deeper

• In this episode, we talk about what makes DuPage County and the Chicagoland region so attractive to data centers and other tech investments. Here’s what makes us different.
• Speaking of data centers, here’s the story of a recent groundbreaking on a new $350M facility in Aurora, IL.
• Another big topic here is quantum computing. Read about Chicago’s new Quantum Park here and learn how investments like this are positioning the regional economy for the future.

Between high interest rates, changing work habits, and the upcoming election, there are a lot of factors affecting office and industrial markets. So we figured it was time to check back in with two of our previous podcast guests, who keep a close watch on all things real estate.

In our latest episode, host Greg Bedalov joins Jim Adler and Mark Moran, Executive Vice Presidents of the Chicago-based brokerage firm NAI Hiffman, for an update on office and industrial development in Chicagoland.

How are high interest rates affecting the industrial market, and what will happen when those rates begin to drop? How are Chicago’s suburbs getting creative and reimagining large office spaces post-pandemic? How are trends like hybrid work changing the game?

We cover all these topics and more on the latest Beat.

A special thanks to the College of DuPage for supporting today’s episode. To keep up with what’s happening in DuPage County and the Chicagoland region, follow Choose DuPage on social media or visit ChooseDuPage.com/Ready.

Employers are doing everything they can to attract and retain good workers. But the biggest factor in an employee’s success is also one of the hardest to manage: mental health.

In our latest episode, host Greg Bedalov joins Dr. Lindsey Harrington and Gina Sharp of Endeavor Health Linden Oaks Hospital to talk about mental health in the modern workplace.

Why is it so important? What’s changed in recent years? How do new technologies and ways of working impact our health? And, most importantly, how can employers create an environment that puts employee wellness first?

To keep up with what’s happening in DuPage County and the Chicagoland region, follow Choose DuPage on social media or visit ChooseDuPage.com/Ready.

For 160 years, customers across Northern Illinois have depended on one company for natural gas: Nicor. Now, the way we think about energy is evolving, and Nicor is evolving with it.

In today’s episode, host Greg Bedalov joins Nicor Gas VP Meena Beyers for a deep dive into the future of energy. From hydrogen molecules to net-zero housing, their conversation goes to some unexpected places, while exploring the big question: What’s the role of Nicor, and the natural gas industry, in tomorrow’s energy economy?

Special Guest: Meena Beyers, Vice President, Nicor Gas

A special thanks to the College of DuPage for supporting today’s episode.

To keep up with what’s happening in DuPage County and the Chicagoland region, follow Choose DuPage on social media or visit ChooseDuPage.com/Ready.

Let’s talk talent. In this episode, host Greg Bedalov joins three experts to explore how Chicagoland manufacturers are developing and recruiting next-generation workers.

How are manufacturers dealing with labor shortages? What can parents do to broaden their kids’ career horizons? And how is one local marketing agency helping make the next generation of “Mavericks”?

Find out on the Beat.

Special Guests:

• Nancy O’Leary, Vice President of Custom Direct
• Danielle Kuglin Seago, Manager, Apprenticeship & Workforce Development for Project Hire-Ed, College of DuPage
• Susan Fischer, President of Premier Manufacturing Corporation

Dive Deeper:

• This episode features Custom Direct’s Manufacturing Mavericks website, where students, parents and professionals can explore true stories about careers in the trades. Check it out.
• We also discuss Project Hire-Ed, a College of DuPage program that combines on-the-job training and instruction for apprentices. The program’s “earn and learn” model helps students learn new skills while actively building their careers. Watch this video to learn more.
• When it comes to solving labor challenges, DuPage County has a unique tool: our seamless talent pipeline. This network of educational institutions, businesses and programs like Project Hire-Ed develops new talent and connects good workers with great careers. Learn more about our talent pipeline.

A special thanks to the College of DuPage for supporting today’s episode. To keep up with what’s happening in DuPage County and the Chicagoland region, follow Choose DuPage on social media or visit ChooseDuPage.com/Ready.

In January 2023, something unprecedented happened in Chicagoland. For the first time, seven Northeastern Illinois counties and the City of Chicago formed a partnership. Now, the Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership (GCEP) is working to drive inclusive development, promote the region’s collective assets, and foster collaboration like never before.

In this episode, host Greg Bedalov, President & CEO of Choose DuPage, sits down with three local leaders to discuss how GCEP is impacting the region and changing the Chicagoland story.

Special Guests:

• Robin Ficke, Senior Vice President, Research, World Business Chicago
• Kevin Considine, President & CEO, Lake County Partners
• Xochitl Flores, Bureau Chief, Economic Development for Cook County

Dive Deeper:

• To learn more about GCEP, “one of the largest advancements in our collective economic history,” start here.
• According to Site Selection Magazine, “The sense of regionalism exemplified by the Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership will only reinforce the area’s attractiveness.” Learn why the publication named Chicagoland the Top Metro for Corporate Investment for the 11th year running.
• In this episode, we discuss how GCEP is making an impact across Chicagoland. To learn more about the organization’s inaugural year, read the 2023 GCEP Year in Review.

A special thanks to the College of DuPage for supporting today’s episode. To keep up with what’s happening in DuPage County and the Chicagoland region, follow Choose DuPage on social media or visit ChooseDuPage.com/Ready.

Most Chicagoland residents have heard of Argonne National Laboratory, the DuPage County-based U.S. Department of Energy facility. But what many don’t realize is that Argonne is teaming up with manufacturers to develop groundbreaking projects at-scale, from EV batteries to carbon capture tech.

For today’s episode, host Greg Bedalov sits down with Chris Heckle, Director of the Materials Manufacturing Innovation Center, to discuss the transformative work happening at Argonne—and the collaboration behind it.

Dive Deeper:

• Home to two National Laboratories (Argonne and Fermilab) as well as one of the nation’s top science and engineering talent pools, DuPage County has a science-first ecosystem. Learn more.
• Argonne researchers recently won three R&D 100 Awards, AKA “the Oscars of Innovation.” Their award-winning work included an AI program designed to accelerate cancer research and a physics simulation for nuclear energy. Read the full story.
• If your business is interested in partnering with the Material Manufacturing Innovation Center at Argonne, reach out to Chris Heckle on LinkedIn.

A special thanks to the College of DuPage for supporting today’s episode. To keep up with what’s happening in DuPage County and the Chicagoland region, follow Choose DuPage on social media or visit ChooseDuPage.com/Ready.

In this follow-up to “People-nomics: Part 1”, we continue our exploration of all things labor. Host Greg Bedalov and a pair of economic experts break down a wide range of workforce-related issues, including the rising cost of housing, the aging population, and the endgame of recent inflation.

Guests:

• Matt Finn, CFA, Chief Economist of 1834, a division of Old National Bank
• Glenn Mazade, SVP, Commercial Business Banking of Old National Bank

Host: Greg Bedalov, President and CEO of Choose DuPage

Dive Deeper:

• Want to learn more about Chicagoland’s workforce? Start with the Chicagoland Economic Partnership Asset Report, a free resource that offers insights into the region’s key assets.
• In 2023, DuPage County and Greater Chicagoland dominated Newsweek’s Greatest Workplaces list. See who made the list – and learn how these employers are reducing turnover rates while boosting employee productivity.
• Located in the thriving Chicagoland region, DuPage County has access to a world-class talent pool. Visit the Choose DuPage workforce page to learn how our seamless pipeline helps develop next-gen talent and connects businesses with the workers they need.

A special thanks to the College of DuPage for supporting today’s episode. To keep up with what’s happening in DuPage County and the Chicagoland region, follow Choose DuPage on social media or visit ChooseDuPage.com/Ready.

Today’s businesses are struggling for one thing: talent. So how did we get here? What factors are influencing the labor market? And how can businesses adapt?

The answer: It’s complicated.

In today’s episode, host Greg Bedalov sits down with an economist and a banking expert to discuss all things “People-nomics” – the economics of labor.

In the first half of their two-part conversation, Greg & co. discuss how automation and immigration are impacting the labor crisis, and what a shifting global supply chain could mean for our region.

Stay tuned for “People-nomics, Part 2”, where we’ll dive into the rising cost of housing—and discuss what the heck is happening with interest rates.

Guests:

• Matt Finn, CFA, Chief Economist of 1834, a division of Old National Bank
• Glenn Mazade, SVP, Commercial Business Banking of Old National Bank

Host: Greg Bedalov, President and CEO of Choose DuPage

Dive Deeper:

• Want to learn more about Chicagoland’s workforce? Start with the Chicagoland Economic Partnership Asset Report, a free resource that offers in-depth data and insights on the region’s key assets.
• Want better workers? Build better workplaces. Check out our Smartest Workplaces in DuPage: 2023 list to see how businesses in the Chicagoland suburbs are redefining workplace experiences.
• Located in the thriving Chicagoland region, DuPage County has access to a world-class talent pool. Visit the Choose DuPage workforce page to learn how our seamless pipeline helps develop next-gen talent and connects businesses with the workers they need.

A special thanks to the College of DuPage for supporting today’s episode. To keep up with what’s happening in DuPage County and the Chicagoland region, follow Choose DuPage on social media or visit ChooseDuPage.com/Ready.