An initial query for good manufacturing sites includes Illinois. "Makes sense," he thinks.

But then a second search for top distribution locations returns the same answer: Illinois. A few more mouse clicks, this time checking for good R&D sites: Illinois.

"Must be a computer problem," the site seeker wonders aloud. "How could one state come out near the top for all these projects?"

After checking, though, he discovers there's actually no computer problem at all. Illinois' skilled workers, prime Midwestern location and myriad transportation options make the state a sound choice for all manner of corporate facilities.

High-tech leader 3Com Corp., for instance, is investing US$257 million in a new plant in suburban Chicago's Rolling Meadows. Lucent Technologies, which already employs 10,500 at two suburban Chicago campuses, is spending $250 million on 1.2 million sq. ft. (111,500 sq. m.) of research and development space near Chicago. Dial Corp., Federal Express and Nestle have tapped the state recently for big distribution centers, and West TeleServices Corp. has opened a 300-employee call center in Carbondale. "We are the ideal Midwest location in which to grow and expand your business," asserts John Linehan, executive director of Carbondale Business Development Corp.

Companies like those have found Illinois a profitable partner in the drive to win in today's globally competitive environment. Here's more on the work force, transportation, technology and other resources available to your company in the Land of Lincoln, plus a look at some of the firms making big location moves in recent months.

Work-Force Advantages
Finding the right work force is at the top of most site seekers' agendas today, and it's a trend that favors Illinois. "The caliber of the work force in Illinois is a huge asset for us," says Pam McDonough, chair of Gov. George Ryan's economic development transition team (a group charged with helping the new administration plot successful economic development strategies).

Indeed, nearly half of the state's work force of more than 6 million are professionals, skilled technicians, craftspeople or machine operators. Just under 17 percent of the state work force is employed in manufacturing.

The Chicago metro area alone has a ready labor force of some 4 million. Four other Illinois metro areas have a work force of between 100,000 and 300,000, and 11 more have labor forces that range between 35,000 and 99,000 workers. In short, Illinois has an ample work force.

Moreover, Illinois workers are renowned for productivity. While Illinois manufacturing wages exceed the U.S. average by some 65 cents per hour, the state's manufacturing value added per wage dollar is almost $2 above the national average.

A Strong Education System
At the heart of Illinois' quality work force is a strong educational system. More than 46 percent of Illinois workers have pursued education beyond high school, and the state has numerous respected universities and colleges.

A recent Business Week ranking of top U.S. business schools, for instance, places two Illinois institutions (the University of Chicago and Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Business) in the top three. The University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana has been recognized in a U.S. News & World Report study for its graduate school of engineering. And Southern Illinois University, in Carbondale, is a Level II Carnegie research facility.

Some 40 community college districts in Illinois provide customized job training for business and industry. More than 30 of those institutions offer an innovative new policy guaranteeing that graduates of occupational/technical programs will have needed skills. If an employer or employee finds that skills are lacking, the employee may repeat the training at no cost.

Market Access, Transportation
Illinois offers those work-force advantages at a prime location -- in the industrial and geographic heart of the nation. In fact, more than a quarter of U.S. gross national product is produced within 300 miles (480 km.) of Illinois.

Every frequent flier knows about Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, the world's busiest. O'Hare handles some 69 million passengers each year, and hardly a minute goes by without an arrival or departure flight.

Illinois' interstate highway system is superb, and only two states have more interstate highway miles. Three coast-to-coast interstate routes (I-70, I-80 and I-90) pass through Illinois, and some 23,000 truck lines operate in the state.

Rail is another Illinois strength. Chicago is the nation's largest rail gateway, and another major rail center is in East St. Louis, Ill. Some two dozen railroads offers service to points across the United States.