U.S. Chamber Study Highlights Illinois’ Innovative Contributions
WASHINGTON, D.C.-The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Global Intellectual Property Center (GIPC) today released a report highlighting Illinois’ contributions to America’s innovation economy. This study is part of GIPC’s State Fact Sheets, which provide a look at the roles innovation and creativity play in each state. The report highlights local companies and facts demonstrating how innovation and creativity-which are safeguarded by strong IP rights-serve as a driving force behind economic recovery and future growth.
“Illinois is a leader in America’s innovative and creative economy,” said Dr. Mark Esper, executive vice president of the Chamber’s GIPC. According to GIPC’s study, Illinois is the home of 144 university and 71 federal research centers and features eight research and technology parks that pave the way for high-tech companies. In 2008, the number of Illinois businesses that were involved with copyrighted works grew to 23,600 – an increase of over 12% from the previous year, and Illinois also ranks 6th in the nation for patents received at 3,712 in 2007. For the past twenty years, 1 out of every 20 domestic patents has been issued to an Illinoisan.
Esper noted examples of innovation and creativity in Illinois. Headquartered in Abbott Park, Illinois, Abbott is a global, broad based health care company devoted to the discovery, development, manufacture and marketing of medicines and medical products, such as XIENCE V, the leading drug-eluting stent, pharmaceutical treatments for immunologic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and the development of cutting edge molecular diagnostic tests. This innovative company employs 13,000 in Illinois alone.
“Indeed, Illinois is the home of great innovators,” said Esper. In 1943, Peoria’s Andrew J. Moyer helped save thousands of lives in World War II by discovering a method of mass producing penicillin, and the world’s first atomic reactor was created at the University of Chicago. “America has a unique story to tell, and Illinois plays a large role in this story. Innovation and creativity are essential to economic growth and human advancement, and Illinois’ IP contributions reflect this,” said Esper.
The Illinois State Fact Sheet is intended to be a resource for legislators, policymakers, and the public to identify successful companies, inventors, creative artists, and innovators to better understand the role they play in our economy and society. As part of an easy-to-use, interactive map, the State Fact Sheet project can be accessed online at www.theglobalipcenter.com, as well as in a printable format.
The Chamber’s Global Intellectual Property Center is working around the world to champion intellectual property (IP) as vital to creating jobs, saving lives, advancing global economic growth, and generating breakthrough solutions to global challenges.
The U.S. Chamber is the world’s largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.
For more information, contact Trinh Nguyen at (202) 463-5379.
