MARCH 2026 1 In Every Issue 2 President’s Message 10 Member Spotlight: Illinois American Water Focus 4 Chamber Responds to State of the State 6 2026 Legislative Agenda 16 Employment Law: New Compliance Laws Connecting 5 Meet the Chamber Team 8 Women in Business Conference 12 America 250 | American Style 14 2026 Global Outlook Highlights Chamber Events 19 Chamber Day 19 National Civics Bee 20 2026 Sponsor Opportunities Advocacy 22 Chamber Advocacy C O N T E N T S www.ilchamber.org March 2026 Volume 12, Number 1 Illinois Business Leader Publisher Illinois Chamber of Commerce Editor Laurie Silvey (217) 991-8598 lsilvey@ilchamber.org Contributors Sean Darke Darbi Keltner Laura Ortega Lamela Abad Lopez Gabrielle H. Lyon Gerardo Medina Nicholas Ustaski Dan Wagner Graphic Design Tonya Voepel Interim President and CEO Dan Wagner Illinois Business Leader is published quarterly by the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, 215 E. Adams St., Springfield, IL 62701. Illinois Business Leader is provided as a benefit of membership in the Illinois Chamber of Commerce. Non-member subscriptions $100.00 per year (includes sales tax). POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Illinois Business Leader, 215 E. Adams St., Springfield, IL 62701. Illinois Chamber of Commerce 215 E Adams Street Springfield, IL 62701 Phone: (217) 522-5512 Internet: www.ilchamber.org email: lsilvey@ilchamber.org © Copyright 2026 Illinois Chamber of Commerce Business Leader Advertisement IFC Amundsen Davis 3 Northern Illinois Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board 9 Chamber Cost Savings Programs 21 NPL | Electron Beam Technologies, Inc. | Penhurst Capital | Rock River Ready Mix | Birkshire Hathaway - Crosby Starck Real Estate | Cullinan Properties | Bloomington and Normal Water Reclamation District | Ameren | WJS LLC | tel-star 24 WorkShare IL | Senergy | Abe’s Hideout | Kulavic’s Auto Body | Lake Springfield Marina 25 UPS 25 mni 25 HR Illinois On-Site Training Classes BC United Healthcare 4 10 12
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