$250 Million Now Available Through Back to Business (B2B) Grant Program

As part of Illinois' COVID-19 economic recovery program, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) have launched the $250 million Back to Business (B2B) grant program to support the continued recovery of small businesses across Illinois. B2B offers the hardest hit industries grants of $5K-$150K to help offset losses, bring back workers, and take continued steps to rebuild amid the fallout from the pandemic.

The application portal is NOW OPEN. Learn about the program and apply here. 

Review answers to Frequently Asked Questions about the program here.

Locate a community navigator in Lake County to help you apply here.

Mighty Hook Celebrates New Manufacturing HQ & Jobs in Waukegan

Advanced manufacturer Mighty Hook recently joined officials in cutting the ribbon on the company's new Waukegan headquarters. The new space supports administration, manufacturing, storage and distribution, while providing room for new jobs and continued growth. The project was made possible through strategic coordination and support from Lake County Partners, DCEO, IMEC, ComEd, the City of Waukegan and Lake County Workforce Development. Read the press release here.

Lake County Celebrates New Expansions & Jobs

Lou Malnati's Moves HQ to Lake County

Amazon Adds 1,000 Jobs in Waukegan

Manufacturer Amcor Grows in Deerfield

Lake County is the official home of deep dish pizza! Fifty-year-old chain Lou Malnati’s is consolidating its headquarters, manufacturing and fulfillment in Buffalo Grove to meet growing demand. 

Opening its third Waukegan facility by the end of the year, Amazon will increase the number of people working for the company in the city to approximately 1,000 in more than 1.1 million square feet of space.

Swiss packaging company Amcor has taken nearly 60,000 sq. ft. in Deerfield. The company is set to open offices next to PRA Health Sciences and the headquarters for Alera Group in early 2022.

Competition Highlights Local Life Science Strength

Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, in collaboration with the SmartHealth Activator, recently held the inaugural Chicagoland Biotech Startup Business Plan Competition to nurture leaders in therapeutics, medical devices, diagnostics and healthcare. Congratulations to the three women who shared their innovative ideas and took the top honors!

Quick Takes

Meet a Member

David J. Alexander
Managing Member
Alexander Law, LLC

You advise clients in regard to complex real estate transactions including the acquisition, disposition, financing and leasing of shopping centers, office buildings and industrial buildings throughout the U.S. How did you get into practicing law?

When I was in high school I decided that I wanted to do something in the business world. Then in college, one of my close family members was a lawyer, so I thought, why not blend the two? As it happened, my mom was (and still is) working for CBRE. I became interested in real estate, so I decided to go into real estate law.  I was lucky enough to get my first job out of law school at a publicly traded real estate investment trust, and I have been practicing commercial real estate law since then.

You help international companies set up shop in the region. What strengths attract companies to the area?

There are many great things about the Chicagoland area. In my experience, at a macro level, international companies are looking for things like access to customers, talent, and transportation.  The Chicago area certainly has all three with Global Fortune 500 companies, leading universities, and top notch access to rail, road, air and public transportation. These factors are why Illinois and the Chicago area are consistently among the top in the U.S. for foreign direct investment.

You recently started your own firm in Lake County after practicing in downtown Chicago. How have the suburbs benefitted your work? 

At my previous firm, where I was for 12+ years, I always worked on Chicago area deals, although about half of my transactions were national. Since starting my own firm with my wife, Tiffany, I’ve transitioned to a more local focus. Being more local has allowed me to focus my attention on fostering relationships in the area that I never had before. I’ve joined LCP, local bar associations, and have just started to get to know the community (both personally and professionally) in a much different light. Being a part of a national practice at my previous firm was fun and professionally stimulating, but I’m happy that I made the decision to focus locally.    

How do you spend your free time?

I have a 10 year old girl and an 8 year old boy, so much of my time is spent with them and their sports – soccer, baseball, football, swimming, etc.  Both play on travel teams, so there is a practice or game of some type every day. I’m a huge sports fan, so I spend a fair amount of time watching and reading about various sports. We also like to travel and have spent time this year in Florida, Wisconsin, and 5 weeks out west in New Mexico and Arizona. We love the outdoors and spend a fair amount of time at the lake and hiking in Open Lands. The most recent addition to our family – a 1 year old English Cream Golden Retriever, Sophie – also commands a lot of attention!

We appreciate your leadership and support of Lake County Partners.

I’m really happy to be a part of LCP.  I’ve had the privilege of knowing and working with President Kevin Considine over the last handful of years, and I have always found LCP to be a great partner for business in Lake County. I’m looking forward to helping in any way that I can to make Lake County a great place to work and live.

Our work to drive economic development in Lake County would not be possible without the leadership of our Board of Directors & the support of our investors.