October 23, 2012

Mayor Emanuel Wins Visionary Award From Chicago Innovation Awards

First Public Official Ever to Receive Honor

Mayor's Press Office    312.744.3334

Mayor Emanuel Monday night was awarded the Visionary Award from the Chicago Innovation Awards at the 11th annual celebration of innovation in the city. He was the first ever public official to receive that honor.

“Fostering innovation in Chicago is a central focus of my work as Mayor,” said Mayor Emanuel. “I’ll continue to seek creative ways to spur economic opportunity in the city of Chicago in key areas, and I look forward to working with the entire business community to accomplish this goal.”

There were nearly 400 nominations for the Chicago Innovation Awards this year, with over 1,200 of Chicago’s leading business, civic and nonprofit innovators, start-up entrepreneurs, investors and others attending the event at Chicago’s Harris Theater. The Innovation Awards ceremony at the Harris Theater is the culmination of a process that begins each spring with a call for nominations.  The awards process included an event at which all nominees were honored at the House of Blues for their commitment to innovation, and a day-long executive education program at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.

As part of winning the Chicago Innovation Awards, all of this year’s winners are invited to ring the NASDAQ bell in New York City on February 25.  “This is one way of carrying the message of Chicago innovation to other parts of the nation,” said Luke Tanen, Executive Director of the Awards.

"Chicago has become a hotbed for entrepreneurs and a global center for innovation. In technology, health care, and other areas, our city flows with opportunity and economic growth,” said Ald. Tom Tunney, Chair of the City Council committee on Economic, Capital and Technology Development. “The Chicago Innovation Awards are a way to celebrate the tremendous energy in Chicago and I commend the Mayor on receiving this year's Visionary Award."


# # #