GREATER CHICAGOLAND ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP ANNOUNCES LEADERSHIP TRANSITION

PRESS RELEASE

GREATER CHICAGOLAND ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP
ANNOUNCES LEADERSHIP TRANSITION

GCEP Board of Directors Names New Chair & Vice Chair

CHICAGO, February 24, 2025 —The Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership (GCEP) today announced a leadership transition, appointing two seasoned economic development leaders to drive its next phase of growth and collaboration. GCEP unites Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, McHenry, Lake, and Will Counties with the City of Chicago.

• Kevin Considine, President & CEO of Lake County Partners, has been named Chair of the Board of Directors, succeeding Greg Bedalov, President & CEO of Choose DuPage, who has served in the role since GCEP’s inception in January 2023.
• Doug Pryor, President & CEO of the Will County Center for Economic Development, will step into the role of Vice Chair, taking over from Kevin Considine.

GCEP is led and managed by World Business Chicago (WBC), serving as the region’s coordinating force for economic development while complementing existing municipal and county initiatives. WBC plays a critical role in advancing the partnership’s shared mission—strengthening Chicagoland’s competitiveness, fostering business expansion, and attracting global investment.

With Considine and Pryor at the helm, GCEP will continue to champion the region’s competitive advantages, including its extensive freight and logistics infrastructure, highly skilled and diverse workforce, strong legacy and emerging industries, and a network of world-renowned academic and research and innovation institutions.

Considine serves as President and CEO of Lake County Partners, a leading economic development organization dedicated to positioning Lake County as a premier destination for business. Considine and team are focused on expanding the local talent pipeline, driving regional innovation, and addressing critical marketplace needs.

“I am honored to step into this role and build upon the incredible work that our regional partners have set in motion,” said Kevin Considine, incoming GCEP Chair. “The Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership is a bold and forward-thinking collaboration—one that recognizes that our collective strengths are far greater than the sum of our individual efforts. Together, we are driving inclusive growth and ensure that Chicagoland remains a world-class hub for business, talent, and innovation.”

Pryor is President and CEO of the Will County Center for Economic Development (CED), the countywide organization dedicated to expanding economic opportunities and supporting businesses across Will County. The CED continues to serve as a one-stop resource for businesses seeking guidance on available sites, incentives, and local government processes in Will County.

“I am excited to join GCEP’s leadership team and collaborate with Kevin and our partners across the region,” said Doug Pryor, incoming GCEP Vice Chair. “By aligning our efforts and leveraging our collective strengths, we can drive transformative investment, support innovation, and ensure every corner of the Chicagoland region has the opportunity to thrive.”

World Business Chicago (WBC) leads GCEP and will continue to drive regional business development efforts in collaboration with local municipalities and county economic development programs.

“The transition in leadership underscores our shared commitment to regional economic prosperity,” said Phil Clement, President & CEO of World Business Chicago. “Kevin and Doug bring invaluable expertise and a deep understanding of the Chicagoland economy. Under their leadership, I’m confident that GCEP will further leverage the strength of the region to attract investment, create jobs, and drive economic opportunity for all.”

About

The Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership (GCEP) unites Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, McHenry, Lake, and Will Counties with the City of Chicago in a first-of-its-kind collaboration to advance regional economic growth and equity. By aligning efforts and leveraging the region’s unmatched assets—extensive transportation networks, diverse industries, world-class research institutions, and a highly skilled workforce—GCEP enhances Chicagoland’s competitiveness on a global scale. To learn more about the Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership, visit worldbusinesschicago.com/gcep.

Media Contacts
Andrew Hayes
World Business Chicago
312-823-4333
ahayes@worldbusinesschicago.com

Barbara C. Prusila
Lake County Partners
847-597-1230
bprusila@lakecountypartners.com