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Business and Industry

Nearly 28,000 businesses of all sizes and types call Lake County home, each playing a significant role in the area’s strong and progressive commercial sector.

A wealth of major U.S. companies — composed of many Fortune 500 companies — are located here, including Abbott Laboratories, Baxter Healthcare Corporation, Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, WMS Gaming, Yaskawa Electrical America, Inc. and Vista Health, along with a multitude of small to mid-sized entities and family-run firms.

What’s more, Lake County affords excellent opportunities for business establishment and growth through low industrial and commercial real estate taxes (in comparison to its surrounding areas), high per capita retail sales, economic incentives for qualified businesses looking to relocate or expand, a diversified and educated labor force and superior support through local business organizations — not to mention more than 50 business and industrial parks and easily accessible transportation options through major interstates, international and regional airports and a commercial slip.

In addition, Illinois has been continually recognized as a business-friendly state. For two consecutive years (2001 and 2002), Site Selection magazine awarded Illinois the Governor’s Cup for being the leading state in the U.S. for business development. And for three consecutive years (2001, 2002 and 2003), Chicago’s metropolitan area was chosen as the top metropolitan area in the country for business development.

Some of the top school districts in the state are located in Lake County, which is coupled with esteemed higher learning institutions devoted to developing the skills and knowledge necessary for success in today’s evolving business environment.

The College of Lake County provides more than 40 career preparatory programs and classes for adults looking to improve work skills. Additionally, this respected community college works closely with local businesses by offering work-related training programs and various resources. Several further colleges and universities are positioned within Lake County, along with a handful of branches of state universities.

Support also comes from local organizations such as the Lake County Chamber of Commerce and Lake County Partners. The Lake County Chamber of Commerce is a network of local businesses whose main focus is to provide its members with top-rate, useful opportunities in order to make each business a success in Lake County.

More than 400 varied member businesses take advantage of the LCCC’s number of programs and services, including five to 10 networking events each month, free and discounted advertising, member-to-member discount services, educational programs, business referrals and much more. With over 90 years in service, LCCC hails as the parent organization of three additional chambers: the Gurnee Chamber of Commerce, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Waukegan Chamber of Commerce.

Facilitating the improvement of Lake County’s already thriving business sector, Lake County Partners is a local organization dedicated to attracting and maintaining businesses in the area. In addition, the resourceful organization aids in the expansion of established companies and promotes area economic development.

Lake County’s Largest Employers

1. Department of the Navy
2. Abbott Laboratories
3. Hewitt Associates, LLC
4. Motorola
5. Kemper Insurance
6. Baxter Healthcare Corporation
7. Six Flags Great America
8. Allegiance Corporation
9. Lake County Government
10. Manpower, Inc.