The morning kicked off with opening remarks by CVS Pharmacy's Michele Dodd, an Illinois Alliance Program planning committee co-chair, as well as Tim Angell, deputy director of economic development for the City of Des Plaines. Angell is also a co-chair of the planning committee.

Following a keynote presentation by Lawrence Levy, chairman of the Levy Restaurant, a panel discussion offered insights to zoning and planning efforts that are intended to change the nature of a community. The panel was moderated by Angell. Panelists included Judith Aiello, assistant city manager of the City of Evanston; Patricia Holden, state and local lobbyist for the Bank of America; Elizabeth Holland, CEO with Abbell Credit Corp.; and Richard Klawiter, partner with DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary US LLP.

During the succeeding roundtable discussions, several topics were broached, including specialty markets and new retailers in Chicagoland. While areas such as the Southport corridor and the Lincoln Park neighborhoods are undergoing explosive retail development, a CB Richard Ellis broker reminded roundtable participants that knowing the age and type of consumer in those areas is imperative to success.