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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
GREATER CHICAGOLAND ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP UPDATE
WHEREAS, the Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership (GCEP) is an economic development initiative for the seven-county region of northeastern Illinois (the "Region") created by the economic development organizations and elected officials of the Region to partner and collaborate on specific projects, share resources, and provide data and analysis to improve and enhance economic development within the Region; and
WHEREAS, the GCEP aims to strengthen the seven-county region’s resiliency and competitiveness by fostering opportunities for collaboration on initiatives that benefit the entire Region; and
WHEREAS, each of the seven counties and the City of Chicago via its agent, World Business Chicago, committed to the annual costs set forth in the Agreement which vary for each of the participating jurisdictions based on population and economic output; and
WHEREAS, the Cook County Board approved Resolution 25-3921 on 10/23/2025, authorizing the Cook County Bureau of Economic Development to enter into an agreement and fulfill its annual financial contribution to support continuation of the Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership in 2026; and
WHEREAS, Resolution 25-3921 stated that Cook County will request that World Business Chicago (WBC) report to the Cook County Board in 2026 to review its work to date and outline plans for the coming year, and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners requests the Bureau of Economic Development arrange for World Business Chicago to provide a review of its work related to the Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership to the Cook County Business and Economic Development Committee
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