Executive Order Number 02-16 
EXECUTIVE ORDER 2016-02
EXECUTIVE ORDER PROMOTING
COLLABORATION FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
WHEREAS, Illinois is home to some of the greatest economic assets in the world, including a smart, dynamic workforce; strong, innovative companies; top universities; and roads, rail, waterways and airports that reach every corner of the continent and the world; and
WHEREAS, despite these advantages, for too long the policies and practices of State government have impeded economic growth in Illinois, causing Illinois to rank 48th out of all states for best business climate in 2015 by Chief Executive Magazine, rank 43rd by Forbes Magazine in 2015 for regulatory environment, receive an “F” grade for small business friendliness in the 2015 Thumbtack.com small business friendliness survey, and according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, ranked 45th in the nation for year-over-year private job creation entering 2016, and ranked 50th in the nation in monthly job creation in December 2015; and
WHEREAS, fostering opportunities for business growth and job creation is vital for Illinois to experience positive economic growth and greater opportunities for our citizens; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (the “Department”) needs private sector assistance in order to operate with the efficiency and speed required to attract investment and jobs to Illinois; and
WHEREAS, other states that compete with Illinois at attracting companies looking to relocate or expand have established or partnered non-profit economic development corporations that recruit businesses more efficiently and effectively than the Department; and
WHEREAS, economic development corporations have been established around the country, including Indiana, Ohio, Missouri, North Carolina, Wisconsin, Michigan, Florida, and Virginia; and
WHEREAS, local governments in Illinois, including the City of Chicago, have also partnered with economic development corporations to recruit businesses to the city; and
WHEREAS, the Department, like many State agencies, works closely with private sector entities to fulfill its statutory mandated duties; and WHEREAS, collaboration between the Department and an economic development corporation will enable the State to draw on the strengths of the private sector and more efficiently foster economic development, including through the research and development of best practices for economic development; and
WHEREAS, the Department will ensure that all work with any economic development corporation is accountable and transparent; and
WHEREAS, the Illinois Business and Economic Development Corporation was established as an operationally independent Illinois not-for-profit corporation to assist the Department in carrying out its economic development work and, in particular, to lessen the burdens of government of the State of Illinois, and to carry out research related to the economic development of the State of Illinois;
THEREFORE, I, Bruce Rauner, Governor of Illinois, by virtue of the executive authority vested in me by Section 8 of Article V of the Constitution of the State of Illinois, do hereby order as follows:
I. COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT AND THE ILLINOIS BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
The Department shall seek opportunities to collaborate with economic development corporations, including the Illinois Business and Economic Development Corporation, to promote Illinois and to facilitate business development, job creation, and investment. Because the Department is statutorily required to encourage job growth and economic development, collaboration with an economic development corporation will enable the Department to carry out those statutory duties more efficiently, thereby lessening the burdens of the Department and the government generally and improving the outcomes of the Department’s statutory mandates.
The Department shall comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and policies, including procurement, grant-making, and transparency, in seeking and entering into any such collaboration.
II. SAVINGS CLAUSE
This Executive Order does not contravene, and shall not be construed to contravene, any State or federal law or any collective bargaining agreement.
III. PRIOR EXECUTIVE ORDERS
This Executive Order supersedes any contrary provision of any prior Executive Order.
IV. SEVERABILITY CLAUSE
If any part of this Executive Order is found invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.
V. EFFECTIVE DATE
This Executive Order shall take effect immediately upon filing with the Secretary of State.
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Bruce Rauner, Governor
Issued by Governor: February 3, 2016
Filed with Secretary of State: February 3, 2016