Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle to Host 'Southland Awards Ceremony' at ACHIEVE Summit 2025

Cook County's Top Executive to Honor Local Leaders and Release 2025 Impact Report at Intimate Awards Ceremony

TINLEY PARK, Ill., June 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Southland Development Authority (SDA) announced today that Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle will be the VIP speaker at an awards ceremony to honor the influential accomplishments of Southland residents, civic leaders and community activists during the inaugural ACHIEVE Summit 2025, June 27–29 at the Tinley Park Convention Center. Preckwinkle will also help present the SDA's 2025 Impact Report, which will detail the organization's success over its first five years. Preckwinkle is the 35th president of the Cook County Board of Commissioners, an office she has held since 2010. In her 15 years as president of the county, she has focused on government transformation through increased fiscal responsibility, transparency and improving public services.

As the top executive in the nation's second most populous county and the first Black woman to be elected president of Cook County, President Preckwinkle oversees some of the nation's largest public health systems, hospital networks and criminal justice systems. Leveraging more than three decades of experience as a public servant and leader, she has helped hundreds of thousands of Cook County residents.

"I am honored to participate in the Southland Development Authority's inaugural ACHIEVE Summit, which will be an inspirational gathering of business, community and civic leaders," said President Preckwinkle. "We stand on the cusp of a critical time for the Southland, Chicago, our state and our nation. The ACHIEVE Summit will undoubtedly motivate and equip attendees to move forward with confidence."

The 2025 Impact Report, set to be published on June 27, will provide an overview of the projects currently driving growth in the Southland region. Financial support from the County has enabled infrastructure improvements, workforce development and commercial revitalization, helping the SDA achieve major milestones in its five years, and demonstrating the power of public-private partnerships.

The ACHIEVE Summit is designed to unlock generational wealth through real estate investment, dealmaking and entrepreneurship. Attendees will include developers, brokers, agents, entrepreneurs, business owners, contractors, legal and accounting professionals—anyone seeking to grow their business. The Friday awards luncheon on June 27 is invite-only, but SDA's 2025 Impact Report will be shared extensively throughout the remainder of the Summit. Opportunities to buy access to Saturday's all-access networking event and Sunday's workshops are available at AchieveSummit2025.com.

"It's an honor to have President Preckwinkle join us at the ACHIEVE Summit to celebrate the extraordinary accomplishments of Southland residents, civic leaders, and community champions who are driving real, lasting change in our region. Her leadership and commitment to equity and Chicago's Southland make her the perfect host for this special ceremony," said SDA CEO Bo Kemp. "And it's fitting to have her unveil our 2025 Impact Report, a milestone moment that reflects five years of dedication to building a stronger, more inclusive Southland."

The ACHIEVE Summit is poised to become the Southland's premier event for real estate, investing, and entrepreneurial leaders, bringing together the largest and most dynamic gathering of professionals the region has ever seen. Headlining the event is none other than Daymond John, star of ABC's Shark Tank, alongside a host of nationally recognized experts and industry trailblazers. With a robust agenda packed full of insights, strategies, and networking opportunities, the ACHIEVE Summit is the must-attend event of the year for serious dealmakers and changemakers.

Learn more at ACHIEVESummit2025.com.

About the Southland Development Authority
The Southland Development Authority, a not-for-profit economic development organization, is committed to driving equitable and sustainable economic growth in the south suburbs of Chicago. Through innovative programs, strategic partnerships, and impactful direct investments, the SDA is building a vibrant, inclusive economy that drives wealth growth for individuals, businesses, and municipalities. Combined with the benefits of the South Suburban Land Bank and the Monarch Fund, the SDA serves as a model for regional development.

For more information, visit southlanddevelopment.org

About Cook County
Cook County is the second-largest county in the United States, representing 5.2 million residents in Illinois. The President of the Cook County Board of Commissioners is the chief executive officer (CEO) of Cook County and oversees the Offices Under the President (OUP).

Media Contact
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773.453.2444

SOURCE Southland Development Authority