Leading up to our Annual Chamber Day in Springfield on April 16, the Illinois Chamber of Commerce spent two impactful days advancing the voice of Illinois employers at the State Capitol. Alongside the Chamber’s Government Affairs Committee (GAC), our Government Relations team proudly represented members from across the state through meaningful conversations and meetings with lawmakers focused on policies that strengthen Illinois’ business climate and support economic growth.
“As Chairman of the Government Affairs Committee, I’m incredibly proud to be a part of the legislative efforts of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce,” said Rob Carney, Chairman of GAC. “Working with my colleagues and the Chamber’s government affairs team, we’ve put together a great Chamber Lobby Day program that shows the strength of our diverse membership and focuses on the issues that matter most to Illinois employers.”
These discussions reinforced the Chamber’s ongoing commitment to ensuring the business community remains engaged in the policymaking process and that employers’ perspectives continue to be heard in Springfield.
“It was a pleasure and honor spending the day with the GAC and Advisory Council as we kicked off our Chamber Day programming,” said Jimmy Clayton, Illinois Chamber President and CEO. “Advocacy is a core mission of the Chamber, and we appreciate the lawmakers who took time out of their busy schedules to hear from the business community.”
As part of this year’s Chamber Day programming, the Illinois Chamber of Commerce also partnered with the Consulate General of Canada and the provincial offices of Quebec, Alberta, and Ontario to host a focused Illinois–Canada economic program. The session highlighted one of Illinois’ most important international trade relationships, an integrated economic corridor representing more than $92 billion in annual two-way trade and supporting thousands of jobs across energy, agriculture, manufacturing, transportation, and services.
The following day, Chamber members, business leaders, and policymakers gathered at the Abraham Lincoln Hotel for another successful Chamber Lobby Day. Attendees heard directly from all four legislative leaders, whose insights and engagement provided valuable perspective on the issues shaping Illinois’ legislative landscape.
This year’s program also featured a timely discussion on artificial intelligence and emerging technology policy at the statehouse, with Leader Ann M. Williams and Leader Jeff Keicher, sharing their expertise on the opportunities and challenges surrounding innovation and public policy.
Additionally, attendees heard from Harley Johnson, Chief Executive Officer of the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, who spoke about Illinois’ growing leadership in quantum technology and the state’s innovation economy.
The Illinois Chamber of Commerce extends its sincere gratitude to everyone who participated, including our speakers, lawmakers, members, sponsors, and partners who helped make Chamber Day 2026 a successful and impactful event. Together, we will continue advocating for policies that drive growth, opportunity, and long-term success for businesses across Illinois.
We look forward to seeing you at future Chamber events!