* Crain’s…
Gov. JB Pritzker is leading a trade mission to Mexico from Sunday through Wednesday focused on agriculture, finance and manufacturing.
The trip to Mexico City follows a delegation to Japan last fall and comes as trade tensions between the U.S. and Mexico are worsening. The Trump administration said March 26 it will impose 25% tariffs on imported cars and parts.
Mexico, which is the state’s second-largest export market with nearly $13 billion in trade in 2024, also is the largest exporter of vehicles and parts to the United States. […]
Agriculture products top the list of Illinois exports to Mexico, followed by chemicals and transportation equipment. Illinois was the fourth-largest importer from Mexico among the states at $19 billion last year. The largest categories are beverages and tobacco, transportation equipment, and electrical equipment, appliances and components.
* Governor Pritzker…
Governor JB Pritzker, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA), and Intersect Illinois, joined by public and private sector leaders from across the state, will lead a trade mission to Mexico from March 30-April 2, 2025.
This trade mission will focus on the importance of deepening economic ties and fostering greater cooperation between the State of Illinois and Mexico. The delegation will engage with Mexican counterparts to discuss enhancing collaboration in key sectors such as agriculture and food processing, finance, and manufacturing, all of which are vital to growing the Illinois economy and creating jobs. Through this mission, Illinois seeks to strengthen its longstanding partnership with Mexico, paving the way for future investment and shared success. […]
Trade mission delegation members include:
JB Pritzker, State of Illinois, Governor
Juliana Stratton, State of Illinois, Lt. Governor
MK Pritzker, State of Illinois, First Lady
Bryan Echols, State of Illinois, Second Gentleman
Anne Caprara, Office of Governor JB Pritzker, Chief of Staff
Andy Manar, Office of Governor JB Pritzker, Deputy Governor
Claire Lindberg, Office of Governor JB Pritzker, First Assistant Deputy Governor
Andrea Vallejo, Office of Governor JB Pritzker, Senior Special Projects Officer
Natashee Scott, Office of the Lieutenant Governor, Chief of Staff
Teresa Reyes, Office of the Lieutenant Governor, Deputy Chief of Staff and Chief Operating Officer
Kristin Richards, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Director
Cas Peters, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Chief Business Attraction Officer
Omar Mendoza, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Managing Director of the Latin America & Caribbean Regional Trade Office
Jerry Costello, Illinois Department of Agriculture, Director
Bobby Dowson, Illinois Department of Agriculture, International Marketing Manager
Carlos Cruz, Illinois Department of Agriculture, Agribusiness Director
Celina Villanueva, Illinois State Senate, State Senator
Cristina Castro, Illinois State Senate, State Senator, Majority Caucus Whip
Elgie Sims, Illinois State Senate, State Senator, Appropriations Leader
Elizabeth Hernandez, Illinois House of Representatives, State Representative, Deputy Majority Leader
Robyn Gabel, Illinois House of Representatives, State Representative, Majority Leader
John Atkinson, Intersect Illinois, Chairman
Christy George, Intersect Illinois, President & CEO
Paulina San Millan, Intersect Illinois, Senior Vice President of Business Development
Robin Ficke, Intersect Illinois, Senior Vice President of Research
Cathriona McGuire Fey, Intersect Illinois, Vice President of Clean Energy and Manufacturing
Reyna Torres Mendivil, Consul General, Consulate General of Mexico in Chicago, Ambassador
Adrian J “AJ” DeLeón, Innovare, CEO
Robert Karr Jr., Barnes & Thornburg LLP, Partner
Carly McCrory-McKay, Champaign County Economic Development Corporation and iFAB Tech Hub Executive Director & Chief Partnerships Officer
Chris Setti, Greater Peoria Economic Development Council, CEO & Founding Partner
Craig Meyer, JLL, President
Dan Lynch, United Airlines, Vice President, State and Local Government Affairs
Daniel Gamba, Northern Trust, President of Asset Management
David Reifman, Croke Fairchild Duarte & Beres, Partner
Doug Pryor, Will County Center for Economic Development, President & CEO
Elizabeth “Betsy” Ziegler, 1871, CEO
Federico Gorbea, Archer Daniels Midland, President for North Latin America
Gil Quiniones, ComEd, President & CEO
Greg Bedalov , Choose DuPage, President & CEO
Guillermo Garcia, GSG Consulting, Inc., President
Jack Lavin, Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, President & CEO
Jaime di Paulo, Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, President & CEO
James Reynolds, Loop Capital, Chairman & CEO
Jennifer Aguilar, Little Village Chamber of Commerce, Executive Director
Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant, Will County, County Executive
Jennifer Tirey, Illinois Pork Producers Association, Executive Director
Jesse Ruiz, The Vistria Group, LP Partner, General Counsel & Chief Compliance Officer
John Lumpe, Illinois Soybean Association, CEO
John Lyons, DLA Piper, Partner
Joseph Dominguez, Constellation, President & CEO
Josh St. Peters, Illinois Beef Association, Executive Vice President
Juan Salgado, City Colleges of Chicago, Chancellor
Kaitlin Fahey, Magnify Strategies, CEO & Founding Partner
Kara Demirjian-Huss, TCCI Manufacturing & DCC Marketing, Owner & Senior Vice President
Kyle Kamin, CBRE, Vice Chairman
Leonard Singh, Ameren Illinois, Chairman & President
Lisa Freeman, Northern Illinois University, President
Maria Bocanegra, Peoples Gas & North Shore Gas, President
Mark Denzler, Illinois Manufacturers’ Association, President & CEO
Martin Cabrera, Cabrera Capital Markets, CEO
Martin Montes, Barnes & Thornburg LLP, Partner
Meredith O’Connor, JLL, International Director
Nicole Bateman, Economic Development Corporation of Decatur & iFAB Tech Hub, President & Chief Strategy Officer
Oswaldo Alvarez, Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus Foundation, Executive Director
Patrick Hoban, Bloomington-Normal Economic Development Council, CEO
Rob Karr, Illinois Retail Merchants Association, President & CEO
Rodney Weinzierl, Illinois Corn Growers Association, Executive Director
Ryan McCrady, Springfield Sangamon Growth Alliance, President & CEO
Sandy Hart, Lake County, Chairperson
Timothy Killeen, University of Illinois System, President
Wendell Dallas, Nicor Gas, President & CEO
“As a Mexican American founder of an investment firm, it is an honor to be part of Governor Pritzker’s timely trade mission to Mexico,” said Martin Cabrera, CEO of Cabrera Capital. “Trade supports over 800,000 jobs in Illinois, and our firm values businesses that support international cooperation and investments that benefit working families at home. I look forward to joining Governor Pritzker and leaders from across the state as we deepen cooperation and economic ties.”
…Adding… This trip has been contemplated for at least two years…
Gov. J.B. Pritzker plans to return to Chicago on Thursday after a seven-day trip to Great Britain aimed at advancing Illinois’ economic development goals, including in clean energy and technology — his second major international trip this year.
And the Democratic governor has hinted that more trips — including travel to Israel, Mexico and Asia — are in the works.
 
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- Responsa - Friday, Mar 28, 25 @ 10:52 am:
Thatsa lotta people.
- Mr. Big Trouble - Friday, Mar 28, 25 @ 11:03 am:
Are these numerous people all traveling on the taxpayers’ dime?
- West Sider - Friday, Mar 28, 25 @ 11:06 am:
Serious question. If the Governor and Lt. Governor and their respective chiefs of staff are all out of the country from Sunday to Wednesday, who is acting governor?
- Rich Miller - Friday, Mar 28, 25 @ 11:07 am:
===who is acting governor? ===
lol
What?
- DuPage Saint - Friday, Mar 28, 25 @ 11:12 am:
I hope they all come back. If they stayed it would be a significant loss of population and we might lose another congressional district. /S
- West Sider - Friday, Mar 28, 25 @ 11:14 am:
Who is the erected official in charge in the state should something terrible happen here?
- Friendly Bob Adams - Friday, Mar 28, 25 @ 11:17 am:
Good move to get so many people acting together for the benefit of Illinois. We’re all in this together, folks.
- At The Rail - Friday, Mar 28, 25 @ 11:18 am:
I know they’re in the minority, but with all these trade missions with huge guest lists, has the Governor ever invited any Republican legislators?
- levivotedforjudy - Friday, Mar 28, 25 @ 11:20 am:
Thank you. If they hit me with the question of “who is Illinois’ 2nd gentleman” at my weekly trivia contest, I know now. Could they all fit on a single bus when they get there?
- Here - Friday, Mar 28, 25 @ 11:35 am:
What is Magnify Strategies, the Lt Governor’s US Senate campaign firm, doing on the government trade mission? Bizarre.
- Henry Francis - Friday, Mar 28, 25 @ 11:39 am:
== has the Governor ever invited any Republican legislators?==
Are there any republican legislators in the state that (1) promote Illinois as a great place in which to invest and do business and (2) would be interested in discussing anything with Mexicans in Mexico (other than stay in your own country)?
- Rich Miller - Friday, Mar 28, 25 @ 11:41 am:
===What is Magnify Strategies===
According to their website, they also represent Intersect Illinois.
Perhaps a quick Google search would enlighten you before claiming something or another is “bizarre.”
- flea - Friday, Mar 28, 25 @ 11:42 am:
this is a great sign that demonstrates how much we count on Mexico in our ag export arena
- Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter - Friday, Mar 28, 25 @ 11:42 am:
“He is too busy calling them all Na#%”
If it walks like a duck and salutes like a duck…
- Donnie Elgin - Friday, Mar 28, 25 @ 11:50 am:
Where are the folks from Cat or John Deere?
- Anotheretiree - Friday, Mar 28, 25 @ 11:51 am:
Can West Sider get the award for best typo of the week ?
- Here - Friday, Mar 28, 25 @ 11:59 am:
Thanks. That is sooooo Illinois. The campaign firm flies around with the government staff because they have a contract with the administration’s economic development non profit. Yes, I get it. No, it’s not a club at all.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Mar 28, 25 @ 12:00 pm:
===That is sooooo Illinois===
Yeah, because that sort of thing never happens in other states.
- Henry Francis - Friday, Mar 28, 25 @ 12:06 pm:
== because they have a contract with the administration’s economic development non profit. ==
Rauner’s administration created Intersect.
You spelunkers need to up your game or go back to your fb echo chambers.
- Perrid - Friday, Mar 28, 25 @ 12:07 pm:
Next Wednesday is “Liberation Day”, when Trump is going to announce/implement a whole bunch of new tariffs, right? Might make fostering trade a bit difficult.
- Demoralized - Friday, Mar 28, 25 @ 12:07 pm:
It cracks me up to see the complainers come out of the woodwork any time one of these trips comes up. Why would the state not market itself, especially when you have a President who is doing everything he can to alienate the rest of the world. It is more important now than ever that the state reaches out internationally to tell them we are still open for business.
- halving_fun - Friday, Mar 28, 25 @ 12:43 pm:
Certainly a statement to send so many folks
But they should publish an agenda
Set expectations above just meeting people or seeing cultural settings
These press releases seem to write themselves
Folks can say these things about any place
Jobs trade future connections
Is a little more substance too much to ask?
- Rich Miller - Friday, Mar 28, 25 @ 12:49 pm:
=== But they should publish an agenda===
I don’t disagree, but lots of these trade meetings are confidential. Businesses don’t always want it out there that they might possibly be interested in a deal.
- Annonin' - Friday, Mar 28, 25 @ 12:52 pm:
Looks like a fun fiesta with plenty of Corporate around to drop the plastic. Hope the COMED doesn’t try any funny biz
- Leslie K - Friday, Mar 28, 25 @ 1:09 pm:
@west sider–I think you are confusing incapacity and travel. The gov isn’t going under anesthesia, he’s just traveling out of state/country.
- Jeb - Friday, Mar 28, 25 @ 1:23 pm:
Does Intersect Illinois need that many people going for this trip? Once again, I ask who funds them. It seems like it’s a junket frontgroup.
- Almost the Weekend - Friday, Mar 28, 25 @ 1:50 pm:
The list of people on here who have actual experience in the private sector might be on one hand.
Hopefully these politicians are paying attention and not using this as a vacation.
- Donnie Elgin - Friday, Mar 28, 25 @ 1:54 pm:
The junket costs could probably cover the cut JB made to the Cover crop program that is desperately needed for IL farmers…
“Pritzker, a Democrat, recently proposed an overall $2 billion increase to next year’s state budget. But he also recommended cuts to several programs, including reducing the cover crop insurance credit budget from $960,000 to $660,000. ”
https://m.farms.com/news/illinois-governor-moves-to-slash-cover-crop-funds-despite-rising-demand-225233.aspx