Born in France, Renee moved to Chicago several years ago. Today, Renee lives here in Paris and is Chairperson for the Chicago Sister Cities International Program, a role she has played since 1998. Through this program Renee continues to participate in and promote Chicago's cultural attractions. A Marathon Exchange in which 1,000 French runners ran in the Chicago Marathon in 2000 and 50 Chicagoans ran in the Paris Marathon. Please give Renee a round of applause.
Tourism is just one aspect of Illinois that holds appeal for international visitors.
We offer some of the best opportunities for companies and organizations looking to expand into the USA too. In addition to the quality of life benefit that comes from living and working in a State like Illinois, there are many other reasons to consider us for your US headquarters. We are at heart of North America, which allows us to offer convenience and accessibility to visitors, whether they're arriving from within the US or from overseas. As a result of its many initiatives, Illinois is emerging a leader among States in economic development. As the number one destination in the Midwest for foreign direct investment, Illinois has attracted more than 3,500 international companies that employ more than 250,000 Illinois residents.