Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC)

The Cook County Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC), which is appointed by Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, advises the Cook County Bureau of Economic Development on strategic planning, goal setting, prioritization, policies, programming, investments and incentives. 

EDAC’s members represent a broad range of public, private and nonprofit sector interests in Cook County.  

Meetings

EDAC meetings take place at: 

Cook County Administration Building

69 W. Washington St., 22nd Floor

Chicago, IL 60602

They begin at 8:30 a.m. and are open to the public (in person and virtually).

EDAC meeting agendas and minutes

Current membership

The current members of EDAC are:

  • Graham Grady, Partner, Taft Law (EDAC Chair)
  • Pam McDonough, McDonough Enterprises (retired) (EDAC Vice Chair)
  • Erin Aleman, Executive Director, Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning
  • Ciere Boatright, Commissioner, City of Chicago Department of Planning and Development
  • Todd Cabanban, Principal, Cabanban, Rubin and Mayberry Commercial Realty
  • Jessica Caffrey, Executive Director, Cook County Land Bank Authority
  • Teresa Córdova, Director, Great Cities Institute, University of Illinois-Chicago
  • David A. Day, Director, The Emmett Till and Marnie-Till Mobley Institute
  • Kristi DeLaurentiis, Executive Director, South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association
  • Mark Denzler, President and CEO, Illinois Manufacturers' Association
  • Kelly Evans, Vice President of Entrepreneurship and Economic Development, Chicago Urban League
  • Manny Flores, President and Chief Executive Officer, SomerCor
  • Xochitl Flores, Bureau Chief, Cook County Bureau of Economic Development
  • Bridget Gainer, Commissioner, Cook County Board, 10th District
  • Andrew Geer, Principal Planner, Blue Eddy Community Advisors
  • Jackie Gomez, Executive Director, Hispanic American Construction Industry Association
  • Jennifer Hill, Executive Director, Alliance to End Homelessness
  • Jennifer "Sis" Killen, Superintendent, Cook County Department of Transportations and Highways
  • Jan Kostner, Executive Vice President, Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce
  • Erica Kuhlmann, President and Chief Executive Officer, Women's Business Development Center
  • Sharon Lagenza, Executive Director, Housing Action Illinois
  • Vickie Lakes Battle, Chief Regional and Markets Office, IFF
  • Suzanne Malec-McKenna, Director, Cook County Department of Environment and Sustainability
  • Daryl Newell, Senior Vice President and Marketing Manager, PNC Community Development Banking
  • Shandra Richardson, Senior Director of Homeownership and Small Business, Chicago Community Trust
  • The Rev. Dr. Richard Tolliver, Chief Executive Officer, St. Edmund's Redevelopment Corporation
  • William W. Towns, PhD, Adjunct Professor and Affiliated Faculty, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University
  • Robert Tucker, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President of Programs, Chicago Community Loan Fund

Questions?

For more information, contact Cook County Bureau of Economic Development assistant deputy bureau chief Liz Schuh at elizabeth.schuh@cookcountyil.gov.

Related Links