SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Gov. JB Pritzker is looking to the future by continuing a business relationship with Ontario, Canada. The Pritzker administration hopes this agreement can create new jobs and meet rising challenges.
Pritzker signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Ontario Premier Doug Ford Tuesday to continue trade opportunities and investments.
“I don’t know of any state out of the 50 states that have more offices in both the state of Illinois and the province of Ontario,” Ford said. “That’s what really attracted myself to Chicago.”
Ford said he spent nearly 20 years of his life running a family business in the Windy City. The leader told Pritzker that Ontario and Illinois share success in agriculture, life science and manufacturing among other industries.
Pritzker said the new agreement can improve workforce development, expand innovation and technology, and grow the Illinois-Ontario trade value. The North American trade is already valued at over $19.5 billion.
“I’m somebody who came out of both manufacturing and technology,” Pritzker said. “Before I became governor, I was a businessperson. I view the opportunity ahead about protecting the people that I represent and building the economy that I think the people that I represent deserve.”
Both leaders are excited for the future of electric vehicles, food processing, agri-food technology and quantum. Ford said the agreement will boost trade, attract investments and create better jobs with bigger paychecks.
“I’ve traveled every square inch of Illinois, there and back and sideways,” Ford said. “Every single company I have memorized. I’d be here for the next hour rattling them off. I just want to again say thank you governor. I can’t wait to pay you a visit in Chicago and maybe we’ll catch a Blackhawks game.”
Pritzker is participating in many meetings and roundtables during his Canada trade mission to discuss opportunities to collaborate on quantum, electric vehicles and innovation.
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