Aims to Attract More Foreign Investment to Illinois During Trip to Japan

TOKYO - Governor Pat Quinn today announced that foreign-owned firms have added nearly 80,000 jobs in Illinois since 2009 when the governor took office, and more than 450 new foreign firms have located in the state during that time. The governor aims to build upon recent successes and attract more foreign investment in Illinois during his September 6-10 trip to Japan. Today's economic announcement is part of Governor Quinn's commitment to create jobs and restore economic prosperity to Illinois.

"Our efforts to increase foreign direct investment in Illinois are paying solid dividends," Governor Quinn said. "Illinois' economy is getting a boost from the growing number of foreign companies doing business in the state, including building factories, warehouses, customer service centers and R&D facilities. These jobs have played a major role in fueling Illinois' economic recovery in recent years, and we must continue to build on these efforts in order to create jobs and compete in the global economy."

Foreign direct investment in Illinois includes more than 2,000 firms that employ more than 350,000 people. Japan and the United Kingdom are the top two sources of these investments. The number of people employed by foreign firms in Illinois has increased every year since 2009 and went from 280,419 that year to 359,775 in the third quarter of 2013. Nearly 80,000 jobs have been added between 2009 and 2013 and the tax dollars of more than 450 foreign companies have been added to the state's economy.

Since Governor Quinn took office, individuals employed by the 1,387 Japanese-owned firms in Illinois rose from 42,126 in 2009 to 53,963 in the third quarter of 2013. The top five Japanese companies in Illinois by number of employees include Aioi Insurance Co., Ltd (7,000); Mitsubishi Motors Corp. (3,358); Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (2,800); Kotobuki Realty Co., Ltd. (2,190); and NTN Corp. (1,604).

"The state's transportation infrastructure and business climate are often cited as reasons for the high level of foreign investment in Illinois," Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Director Adam Pollet said. "A central location and ease of access make it easy for executives, managers and consultants from other countries to get in and out of the U.S. We can also help these firms move their goods with our excellent road, rail and water transportation network."

The state's transportation infrastructure benefits from Governor Quinn's $31 billion Illinois Jobs Now! program, which will support more than 439,000 jobs over six years. Illinois Jobs Now! is the largest capital construction program in Illinois history, and is one of the largest capital construction programs in the nation.

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Joined by Elected Officials and Labor Leaders to Sign First Girder of Project to Dramatically Improve Access to Chicago Southland, Create Thousands of Jobs

POSEN - Governor Pat Quinn today kicked off construction of a new ramp connecting northbound Interstate 57 to the northbound Tri-State Tollway (I-294). The Governor was joined by local elected officials and labor representatives to sign the first steel girder for the new I-294/I-57 ramp, which is part of the $254 million first phase of an interchange project that is supporting thousands of jobs over two years. The project supports Governor Quinn's agenda to create jobs and build a 21st century infrastructure that will drive Illinois' economy forward.

"From day one, I have made economic development in the south suburbs a top priority," Governor Quinn said. "This interchange project will create thousands of good-paying jobs and generate economic development throughout the region for future generations."

The first phase of the I-294/I-57 Interchange Project will create access from northbound I-57 to northbound I-294 and southbound I-294 to southbound I-57, including a new interchange at 147th Street. The approximately $185 million phase is scheduled to be completed in 2014, delivering 75 percent of the project's benefits to the traveling public. It will accommodate 76,000 vehicles per day, provide direct freight access to Chicago's south suburbs and save drivers $4 million annually in fuel consumption. Tri-State Tollway drivers currently using I-80 to get to I-57 will save 25 travel hours per year using the new interchange. The 147th Street ramps will improve local access, connecting residents to employment opportunities not easily accessible by public transportation.

"Once complete, this interchange will provide the Southland with many benefits for years to come," U.S. Representative Robin Kelly said. "Motorists will be able to reach more places quicker and easier. Existing businesses will enjoy improved access to highways in all directions. And local municipalities - particularly Harvey, Markham, Dixmoor and Posen - will find themselves more attractive to new developers. That's a winning combination."

More than 100 firms, including contractors, subcontractors, consultants and sub-consultants are currently working on Tollway contracts for the project. More than $107 million in construction and engineering contracts have been awarded for this project through July, with 22.2 percent going to disadvantaged business enterprises. The Tollway estimates as many as 110 workers are employed on the job site each day, and Phase One of the project will create or sustain an estimated 3,300 total jobs.

"Thanks to the leadership of Governor Pat Quinn, this project is moving forward, creating jobs and the promise of increased economic development and improved access to the Chicago Southland," Illinois Tollway Executive Director Kristi Lafleur said. "New construction is creating economic benefits now and, when complete, this interchange will improve freight-to-rail connections, expand this region's multimodal network and help continue to stimulate our state's economy for years to come."

"This project is providing many people with good-paying jobs and will encourage more private development in area communities, which will create even more jobs," Chicago Laborer's District Council Business Manager Jim Connolly said. "We applaud Governor Quinn for his leadership on the current capital construction program, and we need to continue to build on this success."

To start the first phase of this project, the Illinois Tollway has completed the realignment of Dixie Creek and the installation of all 11 piers required for the new ramp connecting northbound I-57 to northbound I-294. The second phase of the project will begin in 2023 and be completed in 2024.

The project is a joint effort of the Illinois Tollway and the Illinois Department of Transportation. It is funded through Governor Quinn's Illinois Jobs Now! capital program and the Tollway's Move Illinois capital program.

Over the past nine years, the Tollway has invested approximately $1.6 billion in roadway infrastructure improvements in the Chicago Southland, including rebuilding and widening the south Tri-State Tollway between Illinois Route 394 and 95th Street and construction of the south extension of the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355).

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Honors the Courage of All Who Marched at Chicago's DuSable Museum of African American History

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the historic March on Washington which led to the passage of major civil rights reforms for the United States. At Chicago's DuSable Museum of African American History, Governor Quinn reminded celebrants that the battle for social justice often requires direct action, and that those who "voted with their feet" in 1963 showed unparalleled courage and patriotism.

"Without 250,000 Americans peacefully gathering 50 years ago today under Abraham Lincoln's watchful eye, Congress might not have passed the 1964 Civil Rights Act or the 1965 Voting Rights Act," Governor Quinn said. "Today, we honor all who marched and remember the everlasting words that Dr. Martin Luther King has left us."

The March on Washington is known as one of the largest demonstrations for human rights in the nation's history. The march called for meaningful civil and economic rights reform and took place in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 1963. It was there that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered the historically significant "I Have a Dream" speech.

Governor Quinn will later attend the 7th Annual Civil Rights Game at Cellular Field, where the Chicago White Sox will take on the Texas Rangers. The Civil Rights Game - and the accompanying Major League Baseball Beacon Awards Luncheon - helps honor those who fought for equality both on and off the playing field.

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Governor Personally Recruited German Manufacturer, Which Will Create 40 Jobs in Schaumburg

SCHAUMBURG - Governor Pat Quinn and Rittal Corporation executives today announced that the German manufacturing company is moving its United States headquarters to Illinois from Ohio. The relocation to the Woodfield Corporate Center in Schaumburg is expected to create 40 jobs and allow the U.S. subsidiary of privately owned Rittal GmbH better access to its widespread U.S. customer base. Governor Quinn personally recruited Rittal to Illinois, meeting with owner and CEO Friedhelm Loh in December in Germany.

"Rittal chose Illinois for its central location, transportation offerings and high quality of life," Governor Quinn said. "With our diverse economy, highly skilled workforce, and easy access to the rest of the world, Illinois is an excellent place for businesses to grow and thrive."

Today's announcement is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to create jobs and drive Illinois' economy forward. The new headquarters facility is scheduled to be fully operational by September. Rittal is also actively recruiting in northern Illinois to tap into the state's extensive pool of sales, marketing and product professionals.

"Getting closer to our customers so that we become their first choice is a significant goal now and in the years ahead," Rittal President Douglas Peterson said. "Creating a world-class customer-oriented facility in the Chicago area with its proximity to one of the world's most accessible airports is an excellent step toward making those critical connections easier."

The first phase of Rittal's corporate expansion will include relocating the company's executives, sales leadership, marketing and product management staff. A state-of-the-art Customer Center of Excellence will be at the heart of the expansion and will include expanded teaching resources, enhanced product testing facilities, and a large-scale product showroom where customers can have a hands-on experience with the entire Rittal system.

Rittal's global-scale modernization and expansion is taking place in North America, China, India and Germany and includes a multi-million dollar upgrade to several production lines in Rittal's Urbana, Ohio manufacturing facility, designed to provide greater flexibility and capacity in creating products for the vital U.S. markets that Rittal serves. The company operates the Urbana Manufacturing Center of Competence in Ohio, as well as distribution centers in Texas and Nevada.

"With innovation and customer service as a driving force, Rittal is a world leader in the manufacturing and development of solutions for our customers, whether they need enclosures, power distribution, IT infrastructure, software or service," Rittal CEO Loh said. "Rittal?The System offers coordinated platforms, uniting innovative production, pioneering engineering solutions and global service to accommodate diverse requirements."

Rittal will be eligible for tax credits under the Economic Development for a Growing Economy (EDGE) program, administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. The tax credits, based on job creation, can be used against corporate income taxes to be paid over up to ten years.

Governor Quinn has worked diligently to identify and aggressively court companies to Illinois with strong potential to bring jobs and economic growth to the state. Rittal joins several companies that have moved their U.S. headquarters to Illinois this year, including building materials company Lafarge SA, silver and gold producer Coeur d'Alene Mines Corp., and biopharmaceutical firm Durata Therapeutics. For more information on why Illinois is the right place for business, please visit http://Illinoisbiz.biz.

Rittal Corporation

 

The Rittal Corporation, Urbana, Ohio, is the U.S. subsidiary of Rittal GmbH & Co. KG and manufactures the world's leading industrial and IT enclosures, racks and accessories, including climate control and power management systems for industrial, data center, outdoor and hybrid applications. Rittal's off-the-shelf standard, modified standard and customer-engineered products are recognized throughout the world as innovative, high quality solutions for practically any industrial or IT infrastructure application?from single enclosures to comprehensive, mission critical systems.

Founded in 1961, Rittal is now active worldwide with 11 production sites, 64 subsidiaries and 40 agencies. With 10,000 employees worldwide, Rittal is the largest company in the owner-operated Friedhelm Loh Group, based in Haiger, Germany. The entire group employs 11,500 people and generated revenue of $2.9 billion in 2012. For additional information, visit www.rittal.us and www.friedhelm-loh-group.com.

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