Industry Groups Announce Creation of Illinois Technology Alliance

Focused on Collaborating to Drive Innovation in Illinois

CHICAGO, Jan. 19, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today several leading industry groups announced the creation of the Illinois Technology Alliance (ILTA), a new coalition focused on ensuring innovation and economic growth in Illinois by leveraging existing government affairs efforts. The collaborative effort will work to advance policy initiatives in the 97th General Assembly and beyond that support job creation and economic strength for critical industry sectors, including high tech manufacturing, information technology, biotech, life sciences and venture capital.

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Founding members of the Illinois Technology Alliance include the Illinois Venture Capital Association (IVCA), Illinois Science & Technology Coalition (ISTC), Illinois Biotech Industry Organization (iBIO®) and TechAmerica. Working together, these organizations aim to create a stronger, more coordinated voice for innovation-driven public policy initiatives and industries in Illinois.

"Coordinating our government affairs efforts will allow us to better educate legislators on the opportunities and risks associated with changes in public policy," said Maura O'Hara, Executive Director of IVCA. "The ability to avoid unintended consequences and embrace thoughtful change for our state will result in a robust economy and more jobs in Illinois."  

"Working in partnership, we can become a more effective and more productive partner to the Illinois General Assembly," said Matthew Summy, President, Illinois Science and Technology Coalition. "Our objective is simple – coordinate and leverage Illinois' extensive assets to become the national leader in innovation policy and job creation."

"The basis for prosperity and good jobs in today's global economy is innovation," said iBIO CEO David Miller. "That means quickly bringing to market new goods and services based on new knowledge. Illinois is adept and generating new knowledge, and over time will become equally adept at building and infrastructure that commercializes these discoveries."

The mission of the alliance will focus on policies and practices that are conducive to long-term economic growth for Illinois. Members of the Illinois Technology Alliance will support and separately advocate for state level policies, programs and practices that:

• Increase access to capital and promote entrepreneurship
• Ensure that the regulatory environment does not impede or discourage innovation or entrepreneurship
• Promote and support basic research
• Consistently invest in an educational system that provides students and workers with the skills to compete in a global economy
• Advocate for strong fiscal policies that establish a foundation which removes uncertainty for potential investors & entrepreneurs.

"Illinois possesses the critical success factors and potential to be a world leader in technology and high-quality job growth," said Ed Longanecker, Executive Director, TechAmerica. "Our collective efforts will help to advance an innovation based policy agenda and leadership in these important industry sectors."

About TechAmerica

TechAmerica is the leading voice for the U.S. technology industry – the driving force behind productivity growth and jobs creation in the United States and the foundation of the global innovation economy. Representing approximately 1,200 member companies of all sizes from the public and commercial sectors of the economy, it is the industry's largest advocacy organization and is dedicated to helping members' top and bottom lines. TechAmerica is also the technology industry's only grassroots-to-global advocacy network, with offices in state capitals around the United States, Washington, D.C., Europe (Brussels) and Asia (Beijing). It was formed by the merger of AeA (formerly the American Electronics Association), the Cyber Security Industry Alliance (CSIA), the Information Technology Association of America (ITAA) and the Government Electronics & Information Technology Association (GEIA).Learn more about TechAmerica at www.techamerica.org.

About ISTC

The Illinois Science & Technology Coalition cultivates economic development in Illinois by increasing resources for research & development (R&D) initiatives at Illinois-based institutions and businesses. The ISTC is a not-for-profit membership organization. www.istcoalition.org

About IVCA

The IVCA is comprised of firms and professionals dedicated to the development and growth of Illinois' $80 billion venture capital & private equity industry. The IVCA advocates by for the industry promoting pro-growth public policies, building relationships with Institutional Limited Partners, collaborating on business initiatives and supporting a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem. www.illinoisVC.org

About iBIO

The Illinois Biotechnology Industry Organization (iBIO®) champions biotechnology in Illinois and the surrounding Midwest region. Headquartered in Chicago, iBIO's mission is to strengthen the leadership position of Illinois and the Midwest as a globally recognized center of medical, agricultural and industrial biotechnology. With leaders from business, academia and government, iBIO promotes the development and retention of new companies as well as corporate expansions. iBIO advocates for sensible public policy at the local, state and federal levels. To learn more about iBIO and its programs, visit www.ibio.org. 

SOURCE TechAmerica