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About the Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois

The Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois has been the premier economic development organization for Madison and St. Clair counties since 1983. Our mission is to attract and retain jobs, stimulate capital investment, and promote the economic development of Southwestern Illinois by building effective partnerships with leaders in business, industry, government, education and labor. The Council's membership includes approximately 130 top leaders and CEOs from each of those sectors. The diversity of the organization's membership makes it unique within the metropolitan area and the State of Illinois. Cooperation and collaboration among the Leadership Council's members and local community-based organizations has helped positively reshape Southwestern Illinois.

The Council utilizes standing committees and specially convened task forces on critical initiatives for our region. Standing committees include:

The Labor-Management Committee (LMC) was formed in 1983, making it one of the longest, continuously running Labor-Management Committees in the State of Illinois. The LMC exists to serve employers and unions in Southwestern Illinois by working to improve the labor-management image in the area. The Committee strives to promote labor-management cooperation and communication by facilitating business-education partnerships between area schools, companies and unions and by organizing conferences on topics of interest to labor and management professionals.
The Military Affairs Committee, which was a key part of the team that fought hard to transform and retain Scott Air Force Base in the 1995 and 2005 rounds of Military Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC). The Committee continues its efforts today to maintain and enhance this vital economic asset and largest employer in our community.
The Transportation/Infrastructure Committee which works closely with the Illinois Department of Transportation in the support of regional transportation issues, such as the extension of I-255, public transit, the region’s three airports, and most recently, the new Mississippi River Bridge.
The Leaderhip Council’s executive director and several members also are actively involved in the St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association’s Illinois Public Affairs Committee (IPAC), through which they address legislative issues that are particularly important to Southwestern Illinois.

While the Council may be best recognized as having had a hand in almost all of the major investments and issues in the bi-county area over the past several years, its day-to-day activities also have a significant impact on the development of our region.

For example, the organization plays a vital role in promoting Southwestern Illinois and raising awareness about the many exciting developments taking place in Madison and St. Clair County. The Council:

Publishes the annual Market Review & Investment Update, which identifies major commercial, residential, institutional, industrial, transportation and educational investments that reflect economic trends within the region.
Hosts the annual Salute to Southwestern Illinois Awards Dinner to recognize those individuals who are contributing to the growth and success of the region.
Leads the Southwestern Illinois Economic Development Network, which promotes greater collaboration and communication between the community and economic development professionals across Southwestern Illinois.
Coordinates and hosts a monthly Board meeting and breakfast program where members gather to network and receive briefings on a range of issues that are impacting or have the potential to impact Southwestern Illinois.
Oversees an ongoing public relations initiative to generate positive coverage of Southwestern Illinois in local business media, regional real estate and development publications and targeted national trade magazines.
These initiatives and many more support the Council's overall objective to attract and retain investments in Madison and St. Clair counties.

Southwestern Illinois Development Foundation

The Southwestern Illinois Development Foundation works in cooperation with the Leadership Council to promote public discussion about, and scientific research on, Southwestern Illinois, in order to attract new industry, retain existing industry and expand existing industry in the region.

How to reach the Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois

Patrick McKeehan
Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois
200 University Park Drive
Suite 240
Edwardsville, IL 62025
Phone: (618) 692-9745
Fax: (618) 692-9779
pmckeehan@siue.edu
www.siteselection-il.com

Note: The figures used in this Web site are the best available and were compiled from a variety of private and public sources. The Leadership Council and The Southwestern Illinois Development Foundation assume no responsibility for any inaccuracies or omissions.