Governor Quinn Announces Innovative Lighting Manufacturer Expanding in Illinois

CHICAGO – Governor Pat Quinn today announced that Chicago-based Focal Point, a leading manufacturer of architectural lighting, will expand its headquarters on Chicago’s Southwest Side, adding 50 full-time jobs. Today’s announcement is part of the Governor’s agenda to create jobs and drive Illinois’ economy forward.

“Focal Point has dedicated itself to manufacturing innovative, environmentally-friendly lighting products for the past two decades in Illinois,” Governor Quinn said. “Illinois is making a comeback. We are leading the Midwest in job growth, and are second in the nation with more than 40,000 jobs created in the past two months. As we continue on our path to recovery, family-owned businesses like Focal Point are driving our economy forward by taking a stake in our future and creating jobs in our local communities.”

Today’s news follows a report released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics that found Illinois led the Midwest and was second in the nation in job growth in the month of September. It also found that Illinois’ unemployment rate fell to 6.6 percent last month, the seventh straight monthly decline. The unemployment drop from 9.1 percent a year ago is the largest decline in the nation. 

To support a growing customer base, Focal Point will spend at least $6.1 million to acquire surrounding parcels and expand on its existing site at 4141 S. Pulaski in Chicago. The work will support the production of state of the art LED luminaries that save energy, reduce greenhouse emissions and last four times as long as traditional lighting sources. The project will enable Focal Point to retain its existing workforce of nearly 400 people and create at least 50 new jobs within two years. Focal Point had considered moving to Indiana or Missouri, but chose to remain in Illinois because of its highly-trained workforce, central location and connections to global markets.

“Our expansion here in Chicago allows us to retain our valuable human capital both on the plant floor and in the office,” Focal Point President Christopher Thornton said. “Chicago is a world-class city with tremendous access to the creative and technical talent required to design and manufacture modern LED lighting equipment. Illinois has a long history as being a manufacturing stronghold and this project is great example of business and government working together to grow a local economy.” 

Focal Point’s expansion was made possible by a state incentive package worth approximately $2.9 million under Illinois’ Economic Development for a Growing Economy, or EDGE, program. Administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), EDGE requires companies to meet agreed-upon targets for job creation or retention and capital investment to receive the credits. It is available to companies that can show they are considering sites outside of Illinois. The investment also includes $156,500 for job training. 

“The EDGE program was designed to help companies like Focal Point prosper in Illinois,” DCEO Director Adam Pollet said. “This investment will put skilled men and women to work in Illinois and drive more economic growth for Illinois’ manufacturing industry.” Private employers in Illinois have added 300,700 jobs since the economic recovery began in February 2010, and more people are working today than when the Governor took office.

Founded in 1994, Focal Point is owned and operated by a family dedicated to designing and manufacturing quality lighting for interior commercial use. The company employs 394 people at its LEED-certified building. Focal Point’s lighting products are manufactured in the USA, using American-made components whenever possible.