Illinois Technology and Research Corridor
The Illinois Technology and Research Corridor is a region of commerce and industry located along Interstate 88 in the Chicago metropolitan area, primarily in Cook, DuPage, Kane, and DeKalb Counties. The corridor is home to the headquarters or regional centers for many Fortune 1000 companies (including many specializing in research, development, logistics, and technology), several office and industrial parks, colleges and universities, research and scientific institutions, medical centers, government centers, and abundant shopping, dining, lodging, and entertainment amenities. In addition to the I-90 Golden Corridor, the I-94 Lakeshore Corridor, and the I-55 Industrial Corridor, the Illinois Technology and Research Corridor is one of the principal economic centers in suburban Chicago.
History[edit]
The first companies that formed the Illinois Technology and Research Corridor began locating in Naperville in the 1960s. In 1962, Northern Illinois Gas (now Nicor) moved its research and administrative facilities to Naperville in 1962, followed by Bell Laboratories (1964), and the Amoco Research Center (now BP) in 1969.[1]
In Batavia, Fermilab was established as the National Accelerator Laboratory in 1967, with its particle accelerator becoming operational in 1972.[2]
The Corridor Group was formed in 1982, with representation by over 80 high technology companies, national labs, associated industries, and colleges and universities.[3]
an international energy company with its North American chemicals headquarters and research facilities in Naperville
BP
a manufacturer of specialized industrial products and equipment headquartered in Downers Grove
Dover Corporation
a Fortune 100 energy company, has its Exelon Nuclear headquarters in Warrenville and offices for ComEd in Oakbrook Terrace[5]
Exelon
FGI Universal LLC, the largest frozen produce importer in the USA in
Naperville
health institution or program accreditation agency headquartered in Oakbrook Terrace
Joint Commission
an automotive manufacturer with regional offices in Oakbrook Terrace
Mazda North American Operations
a company specializing in measuring instruments and metrological technology with U.S. headquarters in Aurora
Mitutoyo
the Americas' subsidiary of SAP AG, the world's largest business software company with offices in Downers Grove.
SAP America
a meat products manufacturer with subsidiary Armour-Eckrich Meats headquartered in Lisle and a processing facility in St. Charles
Smithfield Foods
an automobile manufacturer with regional offices in Aurora and Naperville
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
VVF, a personal care products manufacturer with a plant in
Montgomery
Major companies with a strong presence in the Illinois Technology and Research Corridor include:
The is a community college that primarily serves DuPage County, located in Glen Ellyn
College of DuPage
headquartered in Oakbrook Terrace, offers numerous technical degrees at its eight Chicago area campuses.
DeVry University
with a campus in Wheaton, offers three degree programs in Information Technology and Management.
Illinois Institute of Technology
a private graduate and professional school of health sciences in Downers Grove
Midwestern University
is a public university and research institution located in DeKalb. It is the second largest institution of higher education in the state of Illinois in terms of enrollment. A satellite campus is located in Naperville.
Northern Illinois University
is a community college that primarily serves central & southern Kane County and northern Kendall County, in Sugar Grove
Waubonsee Community College
on 1,700 acres (7 km2) in Lemont, is the oldest national research institution in the United States, chartered in 1946. The only multipurpose national laboratory in the Midwest, Argonne manages and operates a range of scientific user facilities, including the Advanced Photon Source, the Center for Nanoscale Materials and the Argonne Leadership Computing Facility. Argonne's annual budget is $650 million and employs 3,500 people. It is owned by the Department of Energy and operated by UChicago Argonne LLC.
Argonne National Laboratory
on 6,800 acres (28 km2) in Batavia, was commissioned on November 21, 1967 by the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission. It is home to the world's former highest energy particle accelerator, Tevatron. The accelerator was built in 1983 at a cost of $120 million, and was upgraded in 1994 at a cost of $290 million. It employs 2,100 people.
Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory
Adventist GlenOaks Hospital, in
Glendale Heights
Adventist Hinsdale Hospital, in
Hinsdale
Delnor Community Hospital, in
Geneva
Elmhurst Memorial Hospital, in
Elmhurst
Kishwaukee Community Hospital, in
DeKalb
Provena Mercy Medical Center, in
Aurora
DeKalb County Government Center and Courthouse, located in
Sycamore
DuPage County Government Center, Judicial Center, and Fairgrounds, located in
Wheaton
Kane County Government Center and Courthouse, located in
Geneva
Kane County Judicial Center and Fairgrounds, located in
St. Charles
Cantera, an open-air shopping, dining, and entertainment complex located in
Warrenville
Chicago Premium Outlets, an outlet mall located in
Aurora
a regional upscale, open-air shopping mall located in Oak Brook. It is the largest open-air shopping center in the contiguous United States.
Oakbrook Center
Town Square Wheaton, an upscale open-air shopping center located in
Wheaton
Blackberry Farm, a historical farmstead in
Aurora
The , a 10,000-seat arena on the campus of Northern Illinois University in DeKalb
Convocation Center
The DuPage Children's Museum, a museum and interactive learning center in downtown
Naperville
Hollywood Casino, a casino in downtown
Aurora
a 30,000-seat football stadium located on the campus of Northern Illinois University in DeKalb
Huskie Stadium
The Naperville Riverwalk, a riverwalk and park located in downtown along the DuPage River. The area is also home to the Centennial Beach recreational area and the iconic Moser Tower
Naperville
Oakbrook Terrace Tower, a 31-story office building located in . It is the tallest building in suburban Chicago.
Oakbrook Terrace
Pheasant Run and the Q Center, convention centers located in
St. Charles
The Tivoli Theatre, a historic theater in downtown