From easy access to major highways, airports and a commuter train line to a family-focused quality of life in a beautiful setting, few communities can match the economic development advantages that are found in Lisle.
That’s why companies that cater to international, national and regional customers are flocking to the business-friendly village.
In 2017 alone, Lisle attracted:
- The headquarters for the largest health system in Illinois.
- A growing med-tech company.
- A noted engineering services firm.
- A higher education institution with hundreds of students.
More than 1,000 jobs came to Lisle through those moves alone, proving once again that business owners understand the advantages of a village that is ready to work with businesses.
“We’re providing a high quality of life for residents and a great environment and setting for businesses,” said Lisle Village Manager Eric Ertmoed. “Our strategic location is a huge draw for companies looking to relocate and expand.”
New businesses
In 2017, the largest Chicago suburban office lease in more than a year took place when AMITA Health announced in August it would move to a 225,000-square-foot location on the Navistar campus in Lisle.
In February 2018, AMITA Health began Phase I of moving its system office to campus. Phase II will be completed in July, bringing nearly
900 support and system associates to the village. AMITA Health
(www.AMITAhealth.org) is a joint operating company formed by Adventist Health System in Altamonte Springs, Florida, and St. Louis-based Ascension.
With the addition of Presence Health, AMITA Health is now the largest health system in Illinois, comprising 19 hospitals and more than 230 sites of care. The newly combined health system has 900 providers in its medical groups, more than 26,000 associates and 7,000 physician partners and now serves over 4.3 million residents in the greater Chicago area.
An added benefit for 2018 and beyond is that the village kept its property tax rate flat for the next year.
“Holding the property tax flat eases the operating cost burden on Lisle businesses,” Ertmoed said. “Village leaders take the stewardship of public monies seriously, and are glad to support the Lisle community by ensuring that every tax dollar is used wisely.”
Location advantages
Lisle is called “The Arboretum Village” because of the 1,700-acre nationally renowned Morton Arboretum and its plethora of mature trees, flowers and scenic prairie vistas. There are three major areas of most interest to business owners – the downtown, I-88 Corridor and Ogden Avenue.
Downtown Lisle made an award-winning transformation to become a pedestrian-friendly, lively retail and restaurant district that represents the heart of the community. It includes a prairie-style streetscape inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright near shops and boutiques, one-of-a-kind restaurants and comfortable seating areas in front of the fountain at the entrance to The Garden Walk. Lisle is expected to approve its newest Downtown Master Plan this summer.
Along the I-88 Corridor there are corporations of national prominence such as Navistar International and its 88-acre corporate headquarters, SunCoke Energy, Leeco Steel and Smithfield Foods Packaged Meats. Others including the world headquarters of Molex, LLC, are located in business and shopping districts or within office parks interspersed within the community.
One of the most notable businesses developments in Lisle is the Science of Spirituality Meditation Center, which will open its national headquarters in the summer of 2018 on 8 acres on Warrenville Road. The global, multi-faith organization plans to create a 75,000-square-foot campus.
People visit the Center from around the world, which helps the local economy, said the Center’s Jonathan Kruger.
“Every year when people travel to Lisle from all parts of the world, they stay at the Sheraton, Hyatt and Hilton Lisle hotels, booking thousands of room nights,” Kruger said. “The family community of Lisle has been the perfect place for the meditation center as people deepen their commitment to ethical living as the foundation for progress in meditation.”
An active 300-member Chamber of Commerce supports this diverse business base, offering ongoing support, educational and networking opportunities.
An abundance of technical and professional training also is available through local higher educational institutions.
Benedictine University and National-Louis University offer programs that lay the foundation for an educated and 21st century-ready workforce. More than 79 percent of Lisle residents are college educated and have advanced degrees, and some 77 percent are employed in professional, sales, management and financial occupations.
Also, 2018 marks the fifth year in Lisle for Universal Technical Institute, which provides technical training for students seeking entry-level careers as technicians in the transportation industry. The Lisle campus is one of 12 around the country and includes three core programs and five specialties on a 187,000-square-foot campus.
All of this adds up to an ideal location for homeowners and business planners. Lisle is ideally situated just 25 miles west of Chicago, only about 35 minutes away from O’Hare and Midway airports and only a 30-minute commuter train ride to the city.