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<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>Lan Baylina<\/a><\/span><\/span>2026-09-29T16:07:04-05:00<\/span>Governor’s Award for Large Development of the Year<\/a><\/h6>
Illinois EDC Announces Inaugural Illinois Impact Award Honorees<\/b><\/h2>\n
September 29, 2026<\/b><\/p>\n
The Illinois Economic Development Corporation (Illinois EDC) today announced the full slate of honorees for the inaugural Illinois Impact Awards, presented by AT&T, to be held October 1, 2026, at the Obama Presidential Center. The Illinois Impact Awards celebrate the companies, projects, and partnerships driving investment, innovation, and economic growth across Illinois.<\/p>\n
\u201cIllinois is experiencing extraordinary economic momentum, but behind every investment, expansion and new job are people who made it possible,\u201d said Illinois EDC President and CEO <\/span>Christy George<\/a>. \u201cWe created the Illinois Impact Awards to honor those people: the innovators taking bold ideas forward, the companies investing in our communities, and the partners working together to build Illinois\u2019 future. Their impact reaches far beyond any single project. Collectively, they are shaping what comes next for our state.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe Illinois Impact Awards celebrate the very best of Team Illinois\u2014 the people and organizations working together to attract investment, drive innovation, create good-paying jobs, and strengthen communities across our state,\u201d said <\/span>Governor JB Pritzker. \u201cFrom advanced manufacturing to clean energy to quantum and other emerging technologies, our honorees reflect the hard work and bold vision that is driving our state\u2019s historic economic progress. I\u2019m honored to recognize their leadership and look forward to building on our efforts to make Illinois the best place to live, work, and do business.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cAcross our great state\u2014from Mattoon to Mount Vernon and Rockford to Decatur to Chicago\u2014Illinois is seeing historic momentum,\u201d said Illinois EDC Chairman <\/span>John Atkinson<\/a>. \u201cThe Illinois Impact Awards give us an exciting platform to elevate and bring together the people and organizations contributing to a stronger Illinois.<\/span><\/p>\n Statewide Awards<\/b><\/p>\n Innovator of the Year \u2014 Rivian<\/b><\/p>\n Rivian will receive the Innovator of the Year Award for its innovation and long-term commitment to Illinois. The electric vehicle manufacturer expanded its Normal operations to support production of its R2 vehicle, including a $1.5 billion investment announced in 2024 expected to create more than 550 new full-time jobs. Rivian is also developing a 1.2 million-square-foot, nearly $120 million supplier park in Normal to strengthen the company\u2019s supply chain and attract additional suppliers to Illinois. <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cOn behalf of everyone at Rivian, I am honored to accept this award from our partners at Illinois EDC,\u201d said<\/span> RJ Scaringe, founder and CEO of Rivian. \u201cFrom the moment we started producing our first vehicles, Governor Pritzker, his team, and the state of Illinois have been indispensable partners, supporting the launch of our first R1 vehicles, our commercial vans, and the multiple expansions that now support the production of R2, our midsize SUV.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n Governor\u2019s Award for Large Development of the Year \u2014 Hyundai Translead<\/b><\/p>\n Hyundai Translead will receive the Governor\u2019s Award for Development of the Year for the impact it will make by investing more than $450 million in two manufacturing facilities, bringing new activity to former Caterpillar and Lion Electric sites and creating 2,500 jobs. <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe are deeply honored to receive the Illinois Impact Award. While Hyundai Translead is proud of its investment in Illinois, this recognition belongs equally to the state and local leaders, economic development organizations, educational institutions, community partners, and team members whose trust and collaboration made this project possible,\u201d said <\/span>Sean Kenney, CEO of Hyundai Translead. \u201cWe are humbled to accept this award on behalf of all those who helped bring Hyundai Translead to Illinois, and remain fully committed to strengthening manufacturing, creating opportunities, and contributing to the long-term prosperity of the communities we are privileged to serve.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n Team Illinois Partner of the Year \u2014 IQMP, Related Midwest, Clayco, and PsiQuantum<\/b><\/p>\n The Team Illinois Partner of the Year Award will recognize the collaborative efforts behind the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park, a first-of-its-kind, university-led innovation campus focused on the development of quantum and microelectronics. The partnership includes IQMP, anchor tenant PsiQuantum, developer Related Midwest, and contractor Clayco with co-developer CRG and project designer and architect LJC. Supported by the State of Illinois, Cook County, the City of Chicago, ComEd, the Chicago Quantum Exchange, Chicago State University, Northwestern University, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the University of Chicago, City Colleges of Chicago, P33, and other partners, the IQMP ecosystem is establishing Illinois as a global destination for quantum innovation. <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re deeply grateful to Illinois EDC for this recognition, but this award really belongs to the entire community of partners, researchers, tenants and collaborators who are helping to bring the IQMP to life,\u201d said <\/span>Harley Johnson, CEO of the IQMP. \u201cWhat we\u2019re building on the former U.S. Steel site is enabled by that collective effort, reflecting what\u2019s possible when an ecosystem comes together around a shared vision\u2014 that is, to unlock quantum\u2019s potential and solve some of the world\u2019s most consequential challenges.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cPsiQuantum is proud to be the anchor tenant at the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park,\u201d said <\/span>Victor Peng, CEO of PsiQuantum. \u201cTogether with the strong support and leadership of partners like the Illinois Economic Development Corporation, Related Midwest, and Clayco, we are creating the jobs of the future, supporting area businesses, partnering closely alongside the local community, and ultimately bringing this technology to life in Illinois.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cRelated Midwest is proud to transform the 440-acre vacant site to Quantum Shore Chicago, a vibrant hub for innovation and research that will provide residents with the opportunity to build a career in their own backyard,\u201d said Related Midwest President <\/span>Curt Bailey. \u201cWe are deeply honored to partner with Illinois EDC to bring the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park to life at Quantum Shore and create thousands of jobs, invest in local students to bring programs to youth, create new housing, expand and preserve 100 acres of parkland, and power the next generation of American innovation.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cProjects like the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park show what\u2019s possible when public and private partners commit to a shared vision, and we congratulate our friends at Rivian on earning the Innovator of the Year Award,\u201d said <\/span>Bob Clark, Executive Chairman and Founder of Clayco. \u201cIQMP is bringing one of the world\u2019s most important emerging technologies to Chicago, and we\u2019re honored to be building it, creating construction and small business opportunities today, and long-term jobs and scientific advancement for years to come. The impact of this project will extend far beyond the campus itself and help strengthen Illinois\u2019 place as a global center for innovation.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n Governor\u2019s Awards for Local Impact<\/b><\/p>\n Four companies will receive Governor\u2019s Awards for Local Impact, recognizing businesses whose investment, growth, and long-term presence are strengthening communities and regional economies across Illinois. <\/span><\/p>\n Northern Illinois \u2014 Rockford Brake Manufacturing<\/b><\/p>\n With support from Illinois\u2019 EDGE for Startups tax credit, a group of former Gunite Corporation employees acquired the company\u2019s idled 619,000-square-foot Rockford facility and reopened it as Rockford Brake Manufacturing, restoring production and creating 150 jobs in Northern Illinois. <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cRockford Brake is thrilled to receive the Governor\u2019s Award for Local Impact \u2013 Northern Illinois. Rockford Brake\u2019s success is due to the people we have been able to bring into the organization. The strong generational foundation of manufacturing talent in Northern Illinois has meant we have been able to ramp up production with skilled team members to support the rapid growth of the company. The investment Illinois continues to make in manufacturing provides the platform for companies like ours to compete and win,\u201d said <\/span>Paul Wright, CEO of Rockford Brake. <\/span><\/p>\n Central Illinois \u2014 ADM<\/b><\/p>\n ADM, which employs more than 4,000 people at its North American headquarters and manufacturing complex in Decatur, announced in June that it is investing more than $103 million to modernize its Decatur operations, supporting the creation of 50 new jobs and the retention of more than 1,000 existing ones. <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cDecatur and Central Illinois have been at the heart of ADM for generations, and we\u2019re proud of the role our colleagues and operations there have played in the growth of both our company and the community. We\u2019re honored to receive this recognition and pleased to be part of Central Illinois\u2019 long tradition of agriculture, manufacturing and innovation,\u201d said <\/span>Christopher M. Cuddy, ADM Senior Vice President, President of Carbohydrate Solutions, and President of North America. <\/span><\/p>\n Central Illinois: Rural King<\/b><\/p>\n Rural King recently broke ground on a $75 million customer support campus in Mattoon, the same community where the farm and home retailer got its start. The expansion will create 100 new jobs and preserve more than 700 positions in Central Illinois. The campus has a planned phased growth plan with the ability to up to 3,000 future Rural King associates. <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe are honored to receive this recognition from the State of Illinois. Rural King was founded in Mattoon 66 years ago, and this state and our local communities have played a big part in who we are today. Our 10,000 associates across the country make our continued growth possible, and I\u2019m extremely thankful for all they do to serve their customers each day. As we continue to grow, it\u2019s important that we continue investing right here at home\u2014in our people and our community. We\u2019re proud of where we came from, excited about where we\u2019re going, and grateful for the people who continue to grow with and support us,\u201d said <\/span>Alex Melvin, Owner and Chairman of Rural King Farm & Home Store. <\/span><\/p>\n Southern Illinois: Continental Tire<\/b><\/p>\n Tires have been manufactured in Southern Illinois for more than 50 years, and Continental\u2019s Mount Vernon facility has grown into the largest tire plant in the United States. The company is investing $76 million in a new automated finished-goods warehouse spanning more than six football fields. <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThis award is especially meaningful because it recognizes not only Continental\u2019s continued investment in the Mount Vernon facility, but also the people who make that investment successful. Our employees have built a culture of excellence that continues to drive growth and innovation. With a talented workforce and strong manufacturing foundation, Southern Illinois remains a great place for companies like Continental to invest and succeed. We are grateful for this recognition and excited about the future,\u201d said <\/span>Nik Pearce, Plant Manager of Continental Tire\u2019s Mount Vernon facility. <\/span><\/p>\n Celebrating Illinois Economic Growth<\/b><\/p>\n Held at the start of Manufacturing Month, the Illinois Impact Awards reflect the breadth of Illinois\u2019 economy\u2014from its longstanding strengths in manufacturing and agriculture to emerging industries and future-focused growth. <\/span><\/p>\n The event will bring together business, civic, and government leaders to celebrate businesses investing and growing in Illinois, communities building on their economic strengths, and public- and private-sector partners working together to create new opportunities in all regions of the state. <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cCreating jobs and supporting economic growth in every corner of Illinois has been a top priority during my time in Congress. I\u2019m pleased that the Illinois Impact Awards will recognize our State\u2019s best in economic growth over the past year,\u201d said <\/span>U.S. Senator Dick Durbin. <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIllinois is home to world-class businesses, innovative entrepreneurs and hardworking people who are driving our economy forward every day,\u201d said <\/span>U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth. \u201cInvesting in the partnerships that fuel innovation, create good-paying jobs and strengthen communities across our state is essential to building an economy that works for every Illinoisan. That\u2019s why today we celebrate the leaders who are making Illinois stronger and creating new opportunities, while encouraging more entrepreneurs and businesses to come build their future here. I\u2019m grateful to the Illinois Economic Development Corporation for recognizing the leaders who are helping shape Illinois for generations to come.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIllinois\u2019 economic success is built on the people, businesses, and partnerships that invest in our communities every day,\u201d said <\/span>Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton. \u201cThe Illinois Impact Awards are an opportunity to celebrate the innovators, employers, and leaders helping create good-paying jobs, expand opportunity, and strengthen our economy across every region of our state. I\u2019m proud to recognize those whose work is making Illinois an even better place to live, work, and do business.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n For more information\n
\n<\/b>Illinois EDC Announces Inaugural Illinois Impact Award Honorees
\n<\/span><\/a>Illinois Impact Awards<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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