SR0208 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0208 LRB094 12331 LCB 46312 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Illinois' life science and biotechnology industry is a national leader in developing innovative products and techniques to improve the quality of healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing, environment, and homeland defense; and

WHEREAS, The State of Illinois is ranked among the top three states in the country for life science and biotechnology; and

WHEREAS, It is desirable for Illinois' biotechnology industry, which directly or indirectly employs more than 127,000 people in Illinois, to continue to grow rapidly and to generate increased State revenue and high paying jobs for Illinois citizens; and

WHEREAS, According to a recent national study, only two states Illinois and California have sizable employment in all four major life sciences specialties: research and development; medical devices and instruments; pharmaceuticals and medicine; and agriculture, food, and chemicals; and

WHEREAS, In April 2006, the City of Chicago and State of Illinois will host "The Olympics of Biotech" - The Biotechnology International Convention; and

WHEREAS, The Biotechnology International Convention is expected to attract more than 20,000 participants and attendees from more than 65 countries; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that the Senate directs the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to work with the Office of the Governor, the General Assembly, the City of Chicago, and the Illinois Biotechnology Industry Organization and other representative members of the industry: (i) to formulate and make recommendations and to thereafter report to the Senate those recommendations regarding the State's commitment to the continued growth and development of the life sciences and biotechnology in the State of Illinois; and (ii) to identify measures and make recommendations to promote and market "BIO 2006", the BIO International Convention scheduled for Chicago on April 9-12, 2006; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Governor, the Mayor of the City of Chicago, and the President of the Biotechnology Industry Organization.