24  ILLINOIS BUSINESS LEADER
CHAMBER ADVOCACY
CHAMBER ADVOCACY
SANDOVAL DISCUSSES STATE’S 
ECONOMIC OUTLOOK
June 27, 2025 | Illinois Chamber President and CEO Lou Sandoval sat down 
with Anthony Ponce on Fox 32 Chicago to talk about the state’s economic 
outlook and the Chamber’s work to build a stronger, more competitive Illinois. 
Lou also shared what it means to be honored with the Cuauhtémoc Leadership 
Award—and how it reflects the Chamber’s commitment to driving inclusive 
economic opportunity across our great state. FULL INTERVIEW HERE
SPRINGFIELD CELEBRATES “TRAIN 
TOWN USA” DESIGNATION
July 1, 2025 | Today was a great day in the City of Springfield as the Illinois 
Chamber team had the pleasure of attending Union Pacific’s 163rd birthday 
celebration. To honor the occasion, Union Pacific Railroad brought its new­
est commemorative locomotive, the No. 1616 Lincoln Locomotive, to town 
in recognition of its founder. As part of the celebration, Springfield was given 
the proud “Train Town USA” designation. On July 1st, 1862 President Lincoln 
signed the Pacific Railway Act. Today, Union Pacific operates 32,000 miles of 
track across 23 states and employees more than 30,000.  
CHAMBER HOSTS ILLINOIS AND 
SOUTHEAST ASIA ROUNDTABLE
July 8, 2025 | The Illinois Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the 
Consulate General of Indonesia in Chicago, successfully hosted a high-level 
business roundtable aimed at strengthening trade and investment connections 
between Illinois and Southeast Asia. Laura Ortega, Executive Director of the 
International Business Council, underscored the commitment of the Illinois 
Chamber to fostering mutual economic growth through innovation, knowledge 
exchange, and bilateral cooperation between the Republic of Indonesia and the 
State of Illinois. 
CHAMBER JOINS OBBB DISCUSSION
July 30, 2025 | Illinois Chamber Chief Operating Officer Lori Hiltabrand 
attended the Tax Roundtable with Congressman Rep. Darin LaHood for an 
important discussion on The One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB). The event was 
hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the McLean County Chamber 
of Commerce. We’re grateful for the opportunity to be part of the conversation 
shaping our economic future!

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