Ryan, Daley Announce Blue-Ribbon Committee to Recruit Boeing

CHICAGO -- Governor George H. Ryan and Mayor Richard M. Daley today named a blue-ribbon committee of business, civic, academic and cultural leaders to lead efforts to attract The Boeing Company's corporate headquarters to Chicago.

The Boeing Blue Ribbon Committee will serve as the area's official welcoming group when Boeing executives visit the Chicago area April 18 and 19.

"Bringing Boeing's corporate headquarters to the Chicago region presents a tremendous opportunity for the state of Illinois and our entire business community, and we know this region fulfills Boeing's site selection criteria," Governor Ryan said at a joint news conference in the James R. Thompson Center. "Enlisting the help of these Blue Ribbon Committee members will make our job of getting that message across that much easier."

"This committee is another example of how the City and State are working together to bring new jobs to Chicago and Illinois," Mayor Daley said. "There are many attractive options for Boeing in our area. Our job is to make sure that Boeing understands that this is the best place to establish their new headquarters and set the future direction of their company."

Boeing announced March 21 that it intends to move its corporate headquarters and 400 to 500 top-level corporate jobs to Chicago, Denver or Dallas-Ft. Worth.

Mayor Daley said he believed Boeing would be impressed by Chicago's quality of life and its global access via O'Hare and Midway. He also cited Chicago's strong neighborhoods, reasonable living costs, world-class cultural attractions, bustling downtown, falling crime rate and improving schools.

"I'm very pleased that Boeing put cultural diversity high on its list of requirements," the Mayor said. "Because the Boeing executives are going to see that Chicago doesn't just talk about cultural diversity, we prize cultural diversity."

Governor Ryan touted the state's strong pro-business environment and his administration's commitment to improving Illinois' transportation systems.

"This is a strategic business location for all of North America with access to markets all over the world," said Governor Ryan. "This Blue Ribbon Committee will emphasize all of the Chicago area's outstanding qualities, including our $12 billion infrastructure program, Illinois FIRST."

Daley and Ryan repeatedly have worked together to attract new employers to the Chicago area and help current employers expand. Their recent achievements include a new state-of-the-art training center on the Southwest Side for American Trans Air (ATA) pilots, flight attendants and mechanics; a supplier park for Ford Motor Co. on the Far South Side; a Solo Cup manufacturing and distribution complex at the old US South Works property on the Southeast Side and a new high-tech office tower in Chicago's West Loop.