The Illinois Chamber's Annual Meeting and Luncheon
September 18,2025
Hilton Chicago Continental Room, 720 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago IL 60605
1030am to 11:30am - Join us for the Networking Reception/Expo
11:30am - Luncheon begins
Fireside Chat with Don Thompson
Don Thompson
Founder & CEO, Cleveland Avenue
Don Thompson is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Cleveland Avenue, LLC, a Chicago-based investment firm he co-founded in 2015 with his wife and business partner, Liz Thompson. Cleveland Avenue specializes in investing in lifestyle consumer brands and high-growth companies that are transforming large, dynamic markets. Under Thompson’s leadership, the firm has become a catalyst for innovation, value creation, and inclusive economic growth.
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Future of Energy Panel
Moderator: Meena Beyers
VP of Business & Community Development, Nicor Gas
Meena Beyers is vice president of Business and Community Development for Nicor Gas, Illinois’ and Southern Company’s largest natural gas distribution utility serving 2.3 million customers across northern Illinois. In this role, Meena leads growth, customer solutions, energy efficiency, economic development, external community affairs and community impact, as well as innovation and partnership strategies for customer technologies. Meena brings more than twenty years of public and private sector experience to her role. Read more
Maria Bocanegra,
President, Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas
Maria Bocanegra serves as president — Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas, where she has primary responsibility for managing the daily operations, strategy and administrative activities for the two Illinois utilities, which together provide safe, reliable natural gas service to nearly 1 million customers in Chicago and 54 communities in its northern suburbs.Read more
Leonard “Lenny” Singh,
Chairman and President, Ameren Illinois
Leonard "Lenny" Singh is chairman and president of Ameren Illinois, where he is responsible for energy delivery to more than 1.2 million electric and more than 800,000 natural gas customers in 1,200 communities across 43,700 square miles of service territory. Prior to joining Ameren Illinois in July of 2022, Lenny held a variety of senior leadership roles across electric, natural gas and steam operations, and customer solutions in a 30-year career with Consolidated Edison Company of New York. Read more
Emcee
Lourdes Duarte
Co-Anchor WGN Evening News and Lead Investigative Reporter, WGN
Lourdes Duarte is a four-time EMMY Award winner. She co-anchors the WGN Evening News at 4pm and is one of the station’s lead investigative reporters. Prior to her role on the evening news, Lourdes co-anchored the top-rated WGN Morning News. She also hosts WGN’s public affairs program Adelante Chicago. Read more
Thank you to our sponsors
Business Supporters
Community Partners
Exhibitors and Exhibitor Level Sponsors
Apprenticeship Illinois
Brandt International LLC
Commerce Bank
Illinois Employer Support of the Guard & Reserve
Leslie Munger & Co.
Strategic & Creative Marketing
Troxell
Whiteside County Economic Development
WS Darley
Sponsorships Available - Call Laurie Silvey for more information (217) 991-8598 or lsilvey@ilchamber.org