Latest Post | Last 10 Posts | Archives
Previous Post: ComEd under fire for massive clawback
Next Post: Better management, please
Posted in:
* Gov. Pritzker has clearly been trying to increase Lt. Gov. Stratton’s public profile for several months. She’s quoted in almost every press release he sends out, for instance, and is regularly by his side at public events. Press release…
Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton will lead an Illinois Delegation to Japan beginning September 9. She will lead and represent Illinois at the 53rd Annual Joint Meeting of the Midwest U.S. – Japan and Japan-Midwest U.S. Associations Conference in Tokyo, Japan from September 10-12, joining Governors and economic development leaders from the Midwest and Governors and corporate executives from Japan.
The Lieutenant Governor’s first international delegation to Tokyo will focus on strengthening economic cooperation between Illinois and Japan and will reinforce Illinois as a leader in corporate recruitment, retention and expansion through Illinois Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). Programming throughout the delegation will tap into sustainability and innovation.
”I often say that Lieutenant Governor Stratton is the best Lieutenant Governor in the world—and now the global stage will have a chance to see just how true that is,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “This delegation is another stage in our successful work towards attracting international business to Illinois, and I’m confident that the Lieutenant Governor will be an excellent advocate for our state and the many economic opportunities it offers.”
“Illinois truly is in the middle of everything, as the best place to live, work, and do business. Over the next several days, I am excited to meet with Japanese leaders and Governors throughout the Midwest to share what makes Illinois a world-class leader in business, innovation, and sustainability,” said Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton. “Our state has the largest and most productive labor force in the Midwest, who have driven our growing green economy and put us on the cutting-edge of manufacturing, technology, and emerging industries. This is only a glimpse of why Illinois is the perfect place for international trade partners like Japan to do business. I’m looking forward to further cultivating the robust, long-standing relationship between Illinois and Japan.”
“Japan is one of Illinois’ largest trading and FDI partners and our enduring partnership has yielded significant economic benefits,” said DCEO Director Kristin Richards. “We look forward to strengthening our longstanding relationships while building new connections.”
The Midwest U.S.-Japan Conference is comprised of ten member states including Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio and Wisconsin. Illinois is a founding member state of the Association, a longstanding partner with Japan, and is home to more Japanese companies than any other state in the Midwest—employing over 42,000 people at 1,020 locations.
Illinois reached $1 trillion GDP for the first time in 2022 and is the home to more than 30 Fortune 500 headquarters. The bilateral trade between Japan and Illinois totaled more than $11 billion in 2022, with Illinois exports to Japan exceeding more than $2 billion. The state is also second in the nation for corporate investment and number one for workforce development by Site Selection Magazine. Illinois’ infrastructure, education, access to capital, and cost of living are all ranked in the Top Ten by CNBC’s annual Top States for Business Rankings.
Annual meetings alternate between Japan and one of the ten U.S. member-states. Last year, Illinois hosted the annual meeting for the first time since its first-ever conference in 1967.
Leaders joining the Illinois delegation include:
• Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton
• Teresa Reyes, Office of the Lieutenant Governor, Deputy Chief of Staff and Chief Operating Officer
• Janelle Gurnsey, Office of the Lieutenant Governor, Deputy Chief of Staff for External Affairs & Communication
• Teresa Ramos, Office of the Governor, First Assistant to the Deputy Governor of Education
• Kate Lindgren, Office of the Governor, Senior Assistant to the Deputy Governor of Budget and Economy
• Karen Sheley, Office of the Governor, Deputy General Counsel
• Kristin Richards, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), Director
• Margo Markopoulos, DCEO, Director of Trade and Investment
• Lisa Clemmons Stott, DCEO, Electric Mobility and Innovation Director
• Motoshi Yamada, DCEO Tokyo Office, Managing Director
• Miho Jinoshi, DCEO Tokyo Office, Associate
• Ginta Rubin, DCEO, FDI Manager
• State of Illinois Partner Organizations:
• Dan Seals, Chief Executive Officer, Intersect Illinois
• Tommy Choi, Illinois Realtors, 2024 President-Elect
• Matthew Silver, Illinois Realtors, President 2024
• Ayumi DeLoney, Illinois Realtors, Residential Broker
• Gordy Hulten, Illinois Manufacturer’s Association, Chief Operating Officer
• Abby Powell, Springfield Sangamon Growth Alliance, Director of Business Development
• Shelley Tulo, Springfield Sangamon Growth Alliance, Director of Marketing and Communications
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Sep 6, 23 @ 10:39 am
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
Previous Post: ComEd under fire for massive clawback
Next Post: Better management, please
WordPress Mobile Edition available at alexking.org.
powered by WordPress.
===Gov. Pritzker has clearly been trying to increase Lt. Gov. Stratton’s public profile for several months.===
Reminds me of that QOTD asking about the future choices of Stratton
It’d be quite the deal if this is a purposeful ploy to get a greater profile and then Pritzker not back her for another office.
Feels too like getting a proxy prepared to take a place to continue Pritzker’s stamp on Illinois politics.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Sep 6, 23 @ 10:50 am
Capt.Fax should dispatch Isabel to cover this entourage
Comment by ANNON'IN Wednesday, Sep 6, 23 @ 12:06 pm
What a waste of resources. Completely unnecessary. I hope these staffers enjoy a free vacation to Japan. Someone tell me what educational interests we have in Japan? Ridiculous
Comment by Scrupie Wednesday, Sep 6, 23 @ 12:11 pm
===Completely unnecessary. I hope these staffers enjoy a free vacation to Japan. Someone tell me what educational interests we have in Japan? Ridiculous===
(Sigh)
It ain’t no random vacation where they will be traipsing through a casual visit…
===53rd Annual Joint Meeting of the Midwest U.S. – Japan and Japan-Midwest U.S. Associations Conference in Tokyo, Japan from September 10-12, joining Governors and economic development leaders from the Midwest and Governors and corporate executives from Japan.===
The 53rd annual kinda puts in perspective that these meetings have value to linking Illinois to a partner halfway around the world.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Sep 6, 23 @ 12:22 pm
“What a waste of resources. Completely unnecessary. I hope these staffers enjoy a free vacation to Japan. Someone tell me what educational interests we have in Japan? Ridiculous”
Sorry everyone, one of my community’s super-well-informed facebook commenters has leaked into the chat. They’ll go back to posting pictures of their “grandbabies” and complaining about the lack of new Red Lobster locations in Central Illinois very soon.
Comment by sulla Wednesday, Sep 6, 23 @ 12:54 pm
AG
Comment by very old soil Wednesday, Sep 6, 23 @ 1:19 pm
Ad hominem attack that actually are not even close to accurate do not good arguments make. I’m a huge supporter of the governor. Generally agree with everything. But we don’t have the capacity to respectfully disagree anymore I guess? Like why not engage with the content of an argument instead of making up stories of who you think they are?
Comment by Engage with the content Wednesday, Sep 6, 23 @ 1:19 pm
Excuse my fat fingers. Again I don’t see any representatives from agriculture. Japan is a very large recipient of Illinois corn, soybeans and wheat.
Comment by very old soil Wednesday, Sep 6, 23 @ 1:23 pm
The light gov position can be very underwhelming. Think Bob Kustra (who tried to bail) and Dave O’Neal who did. This is great for her. She has a presence. My only issue is I wish there was a stronger continent for Central and SE Illinois. As someone who has been on these type of trips, they pay dividends.
Comment by levivotedforjudy Wednesday, Sep 6, 23 @ 2:36 pm
Of course I meant “contingent” not the Continent of SE Illinois. UGH!
Comment by levivotedforjudy Wednesday, Sep 6, 23 @ 3:07 pm