Posted by Heidi Schwartz
Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel have announced that 
(ALC), a provider of assisted living with more than 200 residences across the United States, will move its corporate headquarters from Menomonee Falls, WI, to Chicago, IL by the end of the year. Beginning in December 2013, the new space will house ALC’s roughly 100 corporate employees, including its executive team.
“The state’s enduring advantages as a home for companies of all sizes are benefiting its taxpayers and people who seek work,” said Gov. Quinn. “Employers who want to be at the epicenter of North American business are driving economic growth throughout the state.”
“As mayor, I am focused on making Chicago the most business-friendly city in the nation, and I am thrilled to welcome ALC as the newest member of our vibrant and engaged business community,” said Mayor Emanuel.
“Chicago is a world-class city for business, with a large and diverse workforce to support ALC’s future growth and easy access to transportation options that will enable us to better serve our residents and employees in communities across the country,” said ALC CEO Jack Callison Jr. “We are looking to hire many talented professionals as the company enters this new growth phase, and I am confident that Chicago is the right place to achieve the ambitious goals we have set for ALC’s next chapter.”
Chicago offers companies such as ALC a significant pipeline of healthcare employees, with area colleges and universities enrolling nearly 60,000 students and granting more than 24,000 degrees in healthcare related fields annually. The city’s more than 20,000 healthcare-related establishments and 491,000 healthcare-related employees generated $45 billion in healthcare-related GDP in 2012. Chicago also has the second highest employment of any metro area in the U.S. in hospitals, nursing care facilities, and other health practitioners.
ALC is eligible for tax credits under the Economic Development for a Growing Economy (EDGE) program, administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO). The tax credits, based on job creation, can be used against corporate income taxes to be paid for up to 10 years.
“With its business-friendly policies, Illinois is able to attract companies in high-growth industries and keep ahead of changes in the economy. The result is a stronger and more diverse employment base,” said DCEO Director Adam Pollet.
Under Gov. Quinn’s leadership, the state has identified and recruited companies in dynamic sectors such as healthcare and technology. There also has been a focus on securing new corporate headquarters. The state has enlarged its base of private sector jobs by more than 3 percent, or 216,000 positions, since January 2010, when job growth returned to Illinois following two years of declines during the recession.
Investments such as Mayor Emanuel’s $251 million commitment to help prepare City College students for careers in healthcare are also helping facilitate growth. The industry is projected to add 56,000 employees in the region over the next decade, outpacing overall employment growth.
Increasing the region’s position as a center for headquarters is a key component of the city’s Plan for Economic Growth and Jobs, called for by Mayor Emanuel and currently being implemented by World Business Chicago (WBC). WBC and its board members worked closely with ALC to illustrate Chicago’scompetitive advantages.
“A Chicago location makes great sense for Assisted Living Concepts, as the city offers unmatched access to the world and to highly skilled talent, including an especially strong healthcare services workforce,” said WBC President & CEO Jeff Malehorn. “We welcome ALC to Chicago’s business community and look forward to working together for years to come.”
