Elevate Illinois with Janet Mathis and Craig Coil
On episode #50 of the Building BN podcast, BNEDC CEO Patrick Hoban sits down to speak with Janet Mathis, President, and CEO, and Craig Coil, Executive Vice President, of Elevate Illinois - an Illinois Positivity Campaign. Elevate Illinois, from their website, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that strives to “highlight what’s right in Illinois,” focusing on telling the story of what makes Illinois great. This storytelling and promotion include business, personal, and community successes highlighted to illustrate “why Illinois is a remarkable place to call home, learn, conduct business, and visit.”
Mathis, a native of Illinois and a “fifth-generation farm kid”, grew up in central Illinois and is an alumna of the University of Illinois, holding a degree in Agricultural Economics/Industries. She explains that Elevate Illinois is “all about bettering the state.” She wants families to, she says, “Come here. Stay here. Live here.”
Coil, an alumnus of Illinois State University, holds a BA in Communications and Public Relations and is a life-long Illinoisian. Craig's entire career has been spent promoting Illinois and Illinois businesses. He is a recognized leader in public policy impacting Illinois’s economic development.
Elevate Illinois is interested, Mathis explains, in hearing good news and positive stories about what is happening right now in Illinois. People can submit their stories, along with photos and videos, via the Elevate Illinois website. These stories may be shared on a wider platform, including various social media channels as well as various, statewide meetings.
Listen to the entire Building BN podcast episode featuring the Elevate Illinois initiative here. For more information about Elevate Illinois, visit their website at ElevateIllinois.com. Share your own good-news story at ElevateIllinois.org/share-your-story.
