49th Annual Illinois Small Business Week Luncheon

The 49th Annual Illinois Small Business Week Luncheon took place on Thursday, June 14, as part of 2012 Small Business Week.

Small businesses are a vital part of our economy – whether it’s the national or state economy, Cook County or the City of Chicago. They are leading the way during our current economic times. As part of the program, it was explained that more than half of all private sector employees work at small businesses. Three out of every four new jobs created in this country are created by small businesses. The theme for this year: “Imagine Yourself…Working for Yourself.” The Keynote Speaker for the luncheon was Brian Tippens, Director, Global Procurement, Hewlett-Packard. Opening remarks were delivered by Dan Seals, Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, State of Illinois.

Cook County Toni Preckwinkle was one of the Honorary Co-Chairs.

Herman Brewer, Bureau Chief, Cook County Bureau of Economic Development was in attendance. Marion Batey, Public Information Officer for Cook County Works, also attended on behalf of the County.

Marianne Markowirz, Regional Administrator SBA appointed by President Obama, Herman Brewer, Bureau Chief Economic Development for Cook County and Judith Roussell, SBA District Director

Jill Browne, Director of Veteran Affairs, Veterans Assistance Commission Cook County, Floretta Strong-Pulley, Minority Veterans Program Coordinator Jesse Brown VA, and General Galloway, Assistant Surgeon General for Health and Human Services

Herman Brewer, Bureau Chief Economic Development and Kathy Xuan, CEO PARC USA Corporation

Herman Brewer and Dan Seals, Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity meet as Nikki Zollar , Urban League CEO looks on

Honorary Co-Chairs

• The Honorable Pat Quinn
• The Honorable Mark Kirk
• The Honorable Bobby Rush
• The Honorable Joe Walsh
• The Honorable Toni Preckwinkle
• Glen F. Tilton, JP Morgan Chase and Company

Greetings from:

• The Honorable Richard J. Durbin, United States Senator
• The Honorable Rahm Emanuel, Mayor of Chicago
• The Honorable Michael J. Madigan, Speaker of the House

Committee

• Gloria Castillo   Chicago United
• John Chikow   Greater North Michigan Avenue Association
• Omar Duque   Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
• Mark Furlong   BMO Harris Bank, N.A.
• Joseph Gregoire   PNC Bank
• Sheila Hill-Morgan   Chicago Minority Supplier Development Council
• Tom Huffman   Wintrust SBA Lending
• Shalom Klein     Jewish B2B Network
• Lewis Matuszewich   Economic Development Council
• Ralph G. Moore    Alliance of Business Leaders and Entrepreneurs
• Hedy Ratner Women’s Business Development Center
• Gerald Roper   Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce
• David Snyder   Crain’s Chicago Business
• Larry Wert   NBC 5 Chicago
• Diane Williams    Safer Foundation
• Rev. William S. Winston     Living Word Christian Center
• Gail Zelitzky   NAWBO

For more information about this event, their corporate partners and details on starting a small business in Illinois, please go to the Illinois Small Business Development Center.