EXCLUSIVE: Commuters in Chicago are starting to notice a new billboard campaign from Florida’s leading business organization as they navigate the Stevenson Expressway.
The Florida Chamber of Commerce is broadening its multi-million dollar recruitment efforts into the Midwest with this new “Free Enterprise” billboard initiative. They’re specifically targeting Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, citing data that suggests a hefty sum of income is migrating from Illinois to Florida.
Mark Wilson, the President and CEO of the Florida Chamber, revealed exclusively to Fox News Digital that the billboards will resemble the ones previously seen in New York but with two strategically placed in Chicago. In a bold move, they’ll also be dubbing Governor Pritzker as the runner-up for the title of “Florida Economic Developer of the Year.”
“This is not personal. This is about policy,” Wilson clarified. He emphasized that the onus of Illinois policies lies with the governor, just as Florida’s policies are crafted by their own governor. He expressed concern over Chicago’s safety issues and the high taxes, reflecting on his own experiences growing up there. He claimed, “Illinois is losing its population; there are more businesses exiting the state than moving in, leading to billions of dollars in lost taxable income. The situation feels quite dire.”
On the billboards along I-55, an image of Pritzker appears with a shrug, labeling him as a runner-up while thanking him for the jobs relocating to Florida. This launch follows closely after Florida’s designation of NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani as the “Economic Developer of the Year” in Times Square, further highlighting their narrative about how progressive policies drive families and businesses away from Illinois.
Wilson mentioned that the data driven nature of their efforts guided their choice to target Chicago next. “New York was first, and looking at the statistics, Illinois comes in second. Florida has welcomed around 1.9 million new residents, while Illinois has lost anywhere from 75,000 to 100,000 over the same timeframe. We’ve seen over $2 billion in taxable income shift from Illinois to Florida,” he detailed.
He pointed out notable corporate exits, like Ken Griffin’s relocation of Citadel to Miami, as evidence that crime and high tax burdens are significant deterrents for businesses.
Wilson remarked, “When there were bullet holes in the Citadel building, that was kind of a wake-up moment. You can’t relax laws and claim safety at the same time—people see through that.” He continued to express how Illinois is raising taxes on those who invest in the state, including notable philanthropists like Griffin who contribute to education and community safety.
It’s important to note that this campaign isn’t solely aimed at billionaires; Wilson indicated they’re also courting professionals from advanced manufacturing, aviation, and tech sectors.
“For instance, advanced manufacturing is a key focus for us in Florida,” he stated. “We’re one of the only states with a chief manufacturing officer, and Florida has become the top state for new business startups. We want those innovative minds in Illinois who feel stifled to know they’re welcome in Florida.”
Wilson mentioned how the previous campaign in Times Square had significantly raised their media profile, although he didn’t disclose the budget for the new billboards. He stated, “It takes millions every year to support the initiatives of the Florida Chamber of Commerce.”
Looking ahead, Wilson expressed a hope that Illinois’s leadership would acknowledge the data and consider reforms. “Illinois has a smaller population than Florida, yet their financial obligations are larger,” he said. “We’re eager to see them embrace free enterprise. The citizens and businesses of Illinois deserve that opportunity.”
As for Governor Pritzker, there was no immediate response to inquiries from Fox News Digital.
Wilson acknowledged the rapid growth Florida is experiencing and the need for vigilance to prevent the issues faced by other states from cropping up in Florida. “The greatest threat to our progress is replicating the mistakes seen in Illinois, New York, and California,” he cautioned. “There was a time when California was the model for the nation, and they’ve let things slip away.”
While the Chicago billboards are set to be displayed for only a week, Wilson pointed out that the Free Enterprise Florida campaign will be ongoing, with possible outreach to additional states. “Our aim is to wake up the residents of these states. We want to see America thrive, and Florida serves as a prime example of what’s possible,” he concluded.
