Council of Economic Advisors (CEA)

Service Information

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle formed the Council of Economic Advisors (CEA), a group of more than 20 business and civic leaders, to help shape the County’s and region’s economic growth agenda.

The CEA has three essential roles:

  • Advise the President on effective strategies for Cook County to strengthen the region’s economy
  • Assist the County in implementing economic growth strategies to advance inclusive growth and racial equity
  • Assist the President in fostering regional collaboration among the seven counties of northeastern Illinois and the City of Chicago.

2025 membership

  • Toni Preckwinkle, Cook County Board President
  • John Rogers, Chairman, CEO and Chief Investment Officer, Ariel Investments, LLC (CEA Chair)
  • James Alexander, Trustee, Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable Trust
  • Paula Allen-Meares, Chancellor Emerita, University of Illinois-Chicago
  • Frank Beal, Senior Advisor, Civic Consulting Alliance
  • Adela Cepeda, Chair, Angels Investors
  • Philip Clement, President and CEO, World Business Chicago
  • Thomas Coleman, Lecturer and Executive Director of the Center for Economic Policy Research, Harris School of Public Policy, University of Chicago
  • Wendall Dallas, President and CEO, Nicor Gas
  • Derek Douglas, President, Civic Committee and the Commercial Club of Chicago
  • Joseph Flanagan, Chairman and CEO, Acquirent
  • Graham C. Grady, Partner, Taft
  • Terry Howerton, President, Tech Nexus
  • Bo Kemp, CEO, Southland Development Authority
  • Howard E. Males, President, Research Pros
  • Michael Moskow, Vice Chairman and Distinguished Fellow on the Global Economy, The Chicago Council on Global Affairs
  • Juan Ochoa, President and CEO, Miramar Group
  • Alberto Paracchini, President and CEO, Byline Bank
  • Robert Reiter, President, Chicago Federation of Labor
  • Michael Sacks, Chairman and CEO, Grosvenor Capital Management, L.P.
  • Andrea Sáenz, President and CEO, The Chicago Community Trust
  • Samuel Wm. Sax, Chairman, Financial Relations, Inc.
  • Ketan Shah, Chief Strategy Officer and General Counsel, Mesirow
  • Charles Smith, CEO, CS Insurance
  • Scott Swanson, President, PNC Bank
  • Bob Weissbourd, President, RW Ventures
  • Kevin Willer, Partner, Chicago Ventures 
  • Bob Wislow, Chairman, Parkside Realty