GOV. BLAGOJEVICH URGES ILLINOIS COMPANIES TO PARTICIPATE IN 'OLYMPICS OF BIOTECH' IN CHICAGO THIS APRIL

The Illinois Department of Agriculture issued the following news release:

With less than six weeks to go before the "Olympics of Biotech" comes to Chicago, Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today urged Illinois companies from across the state to participate in BIO 2006, which is the first time that this prestigious international life sciences conference will be held in the Midwest. The conference, which runs April 9th - 12th, is a real opportunity for Illinois to showcase its booming biotech business to the more than 20,000 people and 2,500 biotech organizations attending from across the U.S. and 60 countries. The annual BIO convention is the industry's largest gathering of researchers, major international and domestic biotech corporations, start-ups, regulators and investors. Business Facilities Magazine rated Illinois #1 for biotech growth in 2005.

"As the global economy continues to evolve, we are investing in the technologies of today and tomorrow. Biotechnology serves to improve everyday life by finding solutions to everything from human illnesses and safer food products to cleaner environments and reducing public health threats. It's also creating high-paying, high-tech jobs. With Chicago hosting BIO 2006 in just a few of weeks, the rapid growth of biotech throughout Illinois will certainly continue. But we want more Illinois companies to take advantage of this great opportunity to illustrate why our state can not only lead the nation but also become the biotech capital of the world," Gov. Blagojevich said.

At BIO 2006, Illinois will demonstrate that it is Putting Science to Work - the theme of this year's Illinois Pavilion - by emphasizing the state's unmatched university and research institutions, world-class infrastructure, diversified workforce, aggressive government support and its innovative Illinois companies.

Illinois will showcase its world-class research institutions like Argonne National Laboratory, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign's Institute for Genomic Biology, the National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, University Technology Park at Illinois Institute of Technology, the Illinois Medical District and the recently opened Illinois Science + Technology Park, which will serve as a launching pad for new bioscience technologies. The Biotechnology Laboratory Incubator at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and the Peoria NEXT Innovation Center will soon join this impressive list. Multi-billion dollar Illinois medical companies, including Abbott Laboratories, Baxter Labs and Dade-Behring, are giants who are setting industry standards for excellence in the biotech field.

As host of BIO 2006, the State of Illinois, in partnership with the City of Chicago, will have a 6,400 square foot Pavilion, one of the largest and most prominent spaces at the convention. The Illinois Pavilion will be replete with the latest innovations in biotech, while highlighting Illinois' unique and dynamic blend of all the biotech sectors. More than 40 Illinois companies, organizations and institutions will be on display.

"Today, Illinois is a true biotech hotbed and a great place to do business. We are home to a diverse and highly-skilled workforce, internationally renowned research institutions, unmatched infrastructure and a pro-growth businesses environment. Illinois is well-positioned to take full advantage of the future of the biotech industry," Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Director Jack Lavin said.

"Among the fields gaining strength through biotech, agriculture is one sector that is experiencing incredible growth through the scientific advancements," Illinois Agriculture Director Chuck Hartke said. "Our farmers are increasing production to grow alternative fuels, reducing the use of pesticides and producing healthier products for consumers. If our grandfathers had not accepted technological advancements in agriculture, we'd still be walking behind a plow. Biotech is leading us into the next generation of change."

"Illinois is already, by many measures, including employment and value of goods produced, one of the leading bioscience centers in the U.S.," said iBIO President David Miller. "Also, the biosciences are a set of defining technologies that, like the Internet, will be used in many Illinois industries. So all business people in Illinois, whether they are currently engaged in the life sciences or not, need to take advantage of the fact that the world of biotech is literally coming to our doorstep."

Illinois is primed to show the more than 20,000 convention attendees its on-going commitment and strong track record in bringing important investment to the state. Through Gov. Blagojevich's strong support, Illinois is creating high-paying, high-tech jobs and annually contributing billions of dollars to the economy.

In addition to the vast economic benefits, Illinois' commitment to the life sciences community translates into practical applications that reach around the world. Those applications include finding solutions to everything from human illnesses - to safer food products - to cleaner environments - to reducing public health threats.

Gov. Blagojevich and iBIO are urging companies from across Illinois to register now for the BIO 2006 Convention. To register for the BIO 2006 Convention, call John Conrad at 312/201.4514 or http://www.bio.org/events/2006/reg/

iBIO (Illinois Biotechnology Industry Organization) is committed to promoting and securing recognition for Illinois and the Midwest Region as one of the world's great life sciences centers, a great place to do business and a great place to start businesses involving advanced technologies.

Gov. Blagojevich's Opportunity Returns regional economic development strategy is the most aggressive, comprehensive approach to creating jobs in Illinois' history. Since a one-size-fits-all approach to economic development just doesn't work, the Governor has divided the state into 10 regions - each with a regional team that is empowered and expected to rapidly respond to opportunities and challenges. Opportunity Returns is about tangible, specific actions to make each region more accessible, more marketable, more entrepreneurial and more attractive to businesses. It is about upgrading the skills of the local workforce, increasing the access to capital, opening new markets, improving infrastructure, and creating and retaining jobs. Opportunity Returns is about successfully partnering with companies and communities, both large and small, to help all of Illinois reach its economic potential.