Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – The Illinois Chamber of Commerce has a new president and CEO. It’s Jimmy Clayton (pictured), who had a long career in various lobbying positions at the Illinois Realtors.
“I’ve always found myself wanting to lead and being someone that, by either default or by the void caused by our leader (on the realtors’ lobbying staff) having to sit out for health concerns, I think people are naturally going to seek leadership, and I think I can fill that void.”
Depending on who is speaking, Illinois is either a terrific or a terrible state for business. Clayton agrees.
“The main purpose and the point is that we are a business-friendly state, that we incentivize business here, that we understand the importance not only to local economies but the state economy. The business climate here in Illinois, depending on where you are at in our membership, could look different My job is to make sure that climate is as friendly as possible moving forward.
Clayton, in place less than a month, takes over after last fall’s departure of Lou Sandoval and says he has inherited a great team at the Illinois Chamber.
