Featured event
Illinois Chamber Annual Luncheon
September 24, 2026 · Hilton Chicago, Continental Room, 720 S. Michigan Ave. The Chamber's signature gathering of business and policy leaders from across Illinois.
Event details
Date: Thursday, September 24, 2026
Venue: Hilton Chicago, Continental Room, 720 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60605
Programme: Networking reception and expo from 10:30am, luncheon from 11:30am.
The Annual Luncheon is the Chamber's signature event, bringing together business leaders from across the state who share a common goal: creating a business climate that fosters inclusive growth and prosperity for everyone. This event provides a platform to highlight issues that are important to the business community and to elevate them on the public agenda.
Keynote address
Ken Wegner — President and Owner, The Jel Sert Company
Ken Wegner is President and an owner of The Jel Sert Company, where he oversees the company's operations, growth strategy, and manufacturing leadership from its headquarters in West Chicago, Illinois. He joined Jel Sert in 1985 as Director of Purchasing and was named President in 1997. Since then, Wegner has helped scale the business across its core categories, including powdered drink mixes, freezer bars, and dessert mixes, while expanding the company's capabilities as a leading contract manufacturer for major nutrition and food companies.
Today, the Jel Sert Company's family of brands includes Otter Pops, Fla-Vor-Ice, Pop-Ice, Kool Pops, Wyler's Italian Ices, Wyler's Light, Flavor-Aid, Super C, Royal, All Sport, and Pure Kick. Under Wegner's guidance, the company has become the top producer of powdered drink sticks in North America and one of the world's leading producers of freezer bars. A third-generation member of the founding family, he continues to build on the company's 100-year legacy.
Wegner serves as Chair of the Elmhurst Memorial Hospital Foundation, Vice Chair of the Max McGraw Wildlife Foundation, and Chair of the American Childhood Cancer Organization. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Spanish from Denison University.
Panel discussion
Member Spotlight: Growth Happens Here
Meena Beyers
Vice President of Business & Community Development, Nicor Gas. Meena leads growth, customer solutions, energy efficiency, community and economic development, community affairs and charitable giving for Illinois' largest natural gas distribution utility, serving 2.3 million customers across northern Illinois.
Kevin Donahue
State & Local Affairs Manager, Canadian National. Kevin manages a range of government relations initiatives promoting CN's business and policy objectives across Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan. He was previously Government Affairs Manager for the Illinois Tollway and served two terms on the Blue Island City Council.
Helen Fitzpatrick
Vice President of State Government Affairs, AbbVie. Helen leads legislative and political strategy and engagement for AbbVie across U.S. state and local legislatures. She joined AbbVie from Bristol Myers Squibb, where she was Senior Director, State Government Affairs.
Michael Telesky
Vice President, Sales, IL/NW Indiana, UnitedHealthcare.
Agenda
Subject to change.
10:30am – 11:30am — Networking reception with exhibitors
11:30am — Welcoming remarks from emcee Lourdes Duarte, co-anchor and lead investigative reporter, WGN. Color Guard, Pipe & Drum, and the national anthem sung by a CPD vocalist. Chair remarks from Tony Reinhart, Chairman of the Illinois Chamber Board. CEO remarks from Jimmy Clayton, Illinois Chamber President & CEO.
11:50am — Plated lunch is served
12:20pm — Recognition of dignitaries. The Maisch Legacy of Leadership Award and the Reinhart Champion of Free Enterprise Award, both presented by Tony Reinhart. Employer Support of the Guard & Reserve member awards, presented by David MacDonna, State Chair, Illinois ESGR.
12:30pm — Panel discussion — Member Spotlight: Growth Happens Here
1:00pm — Keynote address — Ken Wegner, President and Owner, The Jel Sert Company
1:30pm — Closing remarks and adjourn
Sponsorship
Put your organization in front of Illinois business leadership
Sponsoring the Annual Luncheon is separate from Chamber membership, and is open to members and non-members alike.
Visibility with decision-makers
Your organization is recognized in front of the business and policy leaders who attend the Chamber's signature gathering.
Connections you can't buy elsewhere
The luncheon puts executives, legislators, and Chamber leadership in one room.
Support the Chamber's work
Sponsorship directly supports the Chamber's advocacy for a competitive Illinois business climate.