Episode Details

What happens when competing communities decide to collaborate instead?

In this episode, Dennis Fraise sits down with Kevin Considine, Board Chair of the Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership and CEO of Lake County Partners, and shares how a coalition of counties around Chicago is redefining economic development through regional alignment.

Kevin unpacks the origins and evolution of the Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership (GCEP), offering a behind-the-scenes look at how trust was built across jurisdictions, how funding models are shifting, and why collaboration is delivering better outcomes for business attraction and growth.

From leveraging global assets like O'Hare International Airport to positioning Chicagoland as a powerhouse in logistics and B2B industries, this episode is a must-listen for professionals looking to move from competition to coordination.

Key Takeaways

• Regional collaboration creates a stronger, more compelling value proposition for site selectors and investors
• The Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership is a model for aligning multiple jurisdictions under one strategy
• Trust—not structure—is the foundation of successful regional initiatives
• Global assets like O'Hare International Airport serve as economic anchors for the entire region
• Transitioning from public to private funding can strengthen long-term sustainability
• Maintaining local identity while promoting a unified regional brand is critical

Key Topics Covered

• The formation and early success of the Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership
• Why collaboration is outperforming traditional inter-community competition
• Leveraging regional assets, including logistics infrastructure and innovation ecosystems
• Funding evolution: from public sector support to private investment
• Building trust across counties, municipalities, and leadership teams
• International engagement and positioning Chicagoland globally
• Lessons learned from launching and scaling a regional initiative

Memorable Sound Bites

• "It just makes sense from a customer perspective."
• "Chicago is the B2B capital of logistics in the US."
• "O'Hare is a huge eco