Inside Chicago’s Business Network
The Insider's Guide to The Greater Chicago Business Community
👋 Good morning, Chicago! Welcome to The Chicago Networker, the local newsletter serving 50,765 professionals in the Greater Chicago business community.
In today’s issue:
👍Waymo Begins Testing in Chicago as Bill Seeks to Legalize Autonomous Vehicles in Illinois
👀 Illinois data center boom tied to rising utility bills, experts say
📈 Chicago organizations that are seeking Inflatable & Event Rentals, Case Management Software, School Products and Services, and more
❤️ Illinois’ economic boom comes from securing $2.5B in investments, leading to 4,000 new jobs
💼 Discover top jobs and talent around Greater Chicago
📅 Register for Chicago networking events
👨💻 And more …
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🍇 GRAPEVINE
Business Buzz
A look inside the Chicago business community
Waymo Begins Testing in Chicago as Bill Seeks to Legalize Autonomous Vehicles in Illinois (Read)
Illinois data center boom tied to rising utility bills, experts say (Read)
Illinois jobless rates up from a year ago (Read)
Illinois millionaire tax could help curb property taxes, boost education funding, study says (Read)
United Center’s 1901 Project tax break stalls at Chicago City Council. $55M incentive delay exposes political friction, as $7B development nears takeoff (Read)
World Business Chicago collects submissions for bold plans for city’s future (Read)
Southwest To Lay Off 107 As O’Hare Service Ends (Read)
First look at Chicago’s new Leica store (Read)
Illinois bill pushes data center accountability (Read)
Illinois-Based Deere & Co Agrees to Pay $99 Million to Settle ‘Right to Repair’ Lawsuit (Read)
📈 PIPELINE
Sales & Marketing
Sales leads for Chicago professionals
Out of School Time Products and Services for the Chicago Public Schools (Link)
Provide labor, materials, tools and equipment to refurbish various switch machines for a period of 36 months to the Chicago Transit Authority (Link)
Professional Consulting Services to Monitor Drug and Alcohol Policy and Testing Compliance for a period of up to 3 years with two one-year options (Link)
A Chicago organization needs Case Management Software for the Office of Student Protections (Link)
Inflatable & Event Rentals needed - Vendors needed to supply inflatables and other items (dj’s treats, tables/chairs, face painting, etc.) for school events (Link)
❤️ BOOSTS
Resources & Support
Connect with tech, capital, and innovation in Chicago
Illinois’ economic boom comes from securing $2.5B in investments, leading to 4,000 new jobs (More)
Nearly 70 Chicago groups receive micro-grants after SNAP cuts, deportation campaign (More)
Joyce Foundation Offering More Funding For Great Lakes Artists. The Chicago-based Joyce Foundation is expanding its arts award program with $100,000 unrestricted awards and $40,000 grants in 2026 and 2027. (More)
Mansueto Power Play: $50 Million Fuels UChicago AI Faculty Land Grab (More)
Innovation takes center stage at Future Festival Chicago 2026 (More)
💼 CAREERS
Hiring & Talent
Discover top jobs and talent around Greater Chicago
🔥A new Head of Business Development is needed in Chicago, IL. Compensation is $100K–$150K yr. (Apply)
👀Akhil R, a Software Engineer, is looking for a job (Profile)
🔥A Business Development Executive (BDE) of Healthcare Technology, is needed in Chicago, IL. Compensation is $225K–$250K yr. (Apply)
👀Farah J, an Installation Engineer, is looking for work (Profile)
🔥A SBA Business Development Officer is needed in Chicago, IL. Compensation is $100K–$120K yr. (Apply)
👀 Kara Johnson, a Director of International Admission, is seeking a new opportunity (Profile)
🔥A new Director of Partnerships is sought in Chicago, IL. $130K–$160K yr. (Apply)
👀 Mazen Rezk, a manager, is looking for a new opportunity (Profile)
🔥M&A Business Development Lead - Hybrid is needed in Chicago, IL. Pay is $129K–$174K yr. (Apply)
👀 Michelle Giorgi, an Accounts Payable Specialist, is seeking new opportunities (Profile)
🔥Network Development Manager needed in Oak Brook, IL. Pay is $100K–$140K yr. (Apply)
👀 Suresh Tadikamalla, a Supply Chain Analyst, is actively looking for a Supply Chain Analyst role (Profile)
🔥Area Business Development Leader of Security Solutions needed in Warrenville, IL. Compensation is $250K–$500K yr. (Apply)
📅 EVENTS
Business & Networking
Where Chicago professionals go to learn, connect, and grow
🤝 4/19 Chicago Speed Networking | NetworkNite | Business Professionals Event (Register)
🤝 5/9 Chicago Business with God (Register)
🤝 5/13 Windy City Business Network: Happy Hour @ Midwest Coast Rooftop (May 13) (Register)
🤝 6/4 Chicago Small Business Expo 2025 (Register)
🤝 6/5 Business Before Hours (Register)
🤝 6/5 CSO African American Network: AAN Meets Randall Goosby (Register)
🤝 6/5 Tony P’s June Networking Event @ Clark Street Ale House’s Patio: June 5th (Register)
🤝 6/10 Rotary Means Business - Fox Valley Networking Group (Register)
🤝 6/10 Chicago Small Business Expo 2026 (Register)
🤝 6/12 WEBINAR: Constructing Architectural Networks, Ukraine (Register)
🤝 6/12 Level Up Social Club - Professional Networking Event @ Millennium Hall! (Register)
🤝 6/12 Business Power Lunch Presented by Speakers Bureau | Effective Decision Making (Register)
🤝 6/12 Constructing Architectural Networks: Ukraine (Register)
🤝 6/15 Chicago Biggest Business Tech & Entrepreneur Professional Networking Soriee (Register)
🤝 6/17 Advertisers Happy Hour Networking with Midwest Coast Brewery (Register)
🤝= In Person, 💻 = Virtual
Thank you for being part of our Greater Chicago business community!
Have a great rest of the week!
- Mike
👀 WHERE TO FIND ME
Substack: https://www.thestrategicnetworker.com/