Government Center

719 S. Batavia Ave., Bldg. A

Geneva, IL 60134

Kane County

KC Jobs Committee

Meeting Minutes

LEWIS, ALLAN, Bates, Daugherty, Penesis, Strathmann, Young, ex-officios Roth (County

Vice Chair) and Pierog (County Chair)

Friday, May 16, 2025

10:30 AM

County Board Room

2025 Committee Goals

Goals from the July Jobs Committee meeting

• Revise County Code Definition of the Jobs Committee

• Economic Development Strategic Plan - Begin implementation of the strategies

recommenced by the Kane County Economic Development Strategic Plan

• Regional Partnerships - Continue to work with the Greater Chicagoland Economic

Partnership and other regional partners on economic development activities

• Local Economic Development Programs - Continue to meet the objectives of the active

ARPA Programs and Grant Programs while actively seeking new opportunities to enhance

current programming

Support for Jobs Committee focusing on the Six Priorities

Implement the Economic Development Strategic Plan for Kane County

Implement approved ARPA projects

oKane County Economic Development Corporation - Launch

oFabulous Fox! Water Trail - Launch sites and marketing

oFarmer Grants – staff managed grants to local food farmers

oTourism – with CVB’s

oManufacturing – with IMEC

Support the Kane County Economic Development Corporation

Support County’s role in the Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership

Continue to strengthened partnerships with economic development efforts by the State

of Illinois, municipalities, chambers of commerce and economic development groups

Continue to network and development partnership for the future Hydrogen economy

Renew “Made and Kane” series in Kane County Connects featuring companies and

products that are made in Kane County

Continue to apply for additional outside grants

_______________________________________________________________________

Call To Order

Chairman Lewis called today's meeting to order at 10:55 AM.

Roll Call

Board Member Anita Lewis

PRESENT

Board Member Deborah Allan

Board Member Mavis Bates

Board Member Ted Penesis

Ex-Officio County Board Vice Chair Bill Roth

Board Member Gary Daugherty

REMOTE

ABSENT

Board Member Cherryl Strathmann

Board Member David Young

Ex-Officio County Board Chair Corinne M. Pierog

Also present: Co. Bd. member Juby*; Dev. Dir. VanKerkhoff and staff Toth; ITD staff

Kash; and members of the press and public.

Remote Attendance Requests

Chairman Lewis announced the remote attendance requests for today's meeting. She

asked the Committee if there were any objections to Committee Member Daugherty

attending remotely. There were no objections.

Approval of Minutes: April 11, 2025

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT

Ted Penesis

Public Comment

None.

Jobs Committee Priorities

Kane County Economic Development Initiatives Staff Updates

Dev. Dir. VanKerkhoff announced that the County Board approved the third

annual payment to the Regional Economic Development Partnership, also

knows as the Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership. He noted that the

U.S. Department of Commerce hosted an event called "Select USA," where

business leaders from all over the world attend exclusive receptions, networking

events, company visits, and sessions dedicated to incentives, and workforce.

The State of Illinois was represented at this event with more than 5,500

attendees from over 100 international markets, and 54 states. In addition to

World Business Chicago, the six other county partners hosted a spin off event

called "SelectChi" on May 8-9 with a roundtable panel discussion of 50 foreign

companies seeking to promote business within the Chicagoland region.

Dev. Planner Toth provided a Packing Empowerment for individuals with

disabilities summer camp flyer. He highlighted that this program is in partnership

with Interuniversity Microelectronics Centre (IMEC), and is available to

individuals with disabilities who are interested in manufacturing. The camp will

run from June 9- July 18 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Northwestern Medicine

Delnor Hospital in Geneva in the Project SEARCH Classroom on Monday's,

Wednesday's, and Fridays. Local manufacturers will participate and offer job

shadowing, tours, and other leadership opportunities. Lastly, Toth announced

that invites for the 10 year anniversary of the Economic Development

Roundtable on June 20, 2025 will be sent out next week. The event will be held

in the auditorium of the Kane County Government Center, in building A from

11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. This year's topic of choice will be the Kane County

Economic Development Corporation. VanKerkhoff and Toth addressed

questions and comments from the Committee. Much discussion ensued.

Office of Community Reinvestment - Workforce Development Division

Monthly Report

The monthly report is on file. No additional report was made.

New Business

None.

Reports Placed On File

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT

Mavis Bates

10.

Comments by Co-Chair

None.