Illinois Technology Association: The Network That Helped Shape Chicago’s Technology Economy
The Illinois Technology Association played an important role in the growth of Chicago’s technology sector. Founded in 2005, the organisation supported technology companies through business education, talent development, collaboration and stronger industry visibility. It was built as a professional network rather than a physical destination, giving member companies access to advice, contacts and practical support.
Based in Chicago, the association worked with growth-stage businesses across Illinois. In 2020, its programmes, staff and member network became part of 1871, a leading Chicago innovation hub.
What Was the Illinois Technology Association?
The Illinois Technology Association, also known as ITA, was a 501(c)(6) not-for-profit business organisation. Its main purpose was to strengthen the state’s technology economy by supporting companies, leaders and skilled workers.
ITA described itself as a network that companies could access. Members used its events, education, introductions and talent programmes to solve business problems and build useful relationships. The organisation operated from 20 North Wacker Drive, 12th Floor, Chicago, Illinois 60606. Although placed within IT services and IT consulting, it also acted as an industry association, adviser and connector.
Founding and Leadership
ITA was founded in 2005 by Fred Hoch and Terry Howerton. Hoch served as its founding president and chief executive, helping establish the organisation as a key voice for Chicago’s technology business community. The association brought together founders, executives, investors, universities, advisers and employers. Its work focused on practical company growth.
Julia Kanouse later became chief executive and led ITA before its integration with 1871. Under her leadership, the organisation continued to support growth-stage firms and develop programmes for talent, leadership and business visibility.
Illinois Technology Association Quick Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Illinois Technology Association |
| Abbreviation | ITA |
| Founded | 2005 |
| Founders | Fred Hoch and Terry Howerton |
| Organisation Type | 501(c)(6) not-for-profit association |
| Industry | IT Services and IT Consulting |
| Headquarters | Chicago, Illinois, United States |
| Former Address | 20 N. Wacker Drive, 12th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606 |
| Official Website | Visit the official 1871 website |
| Main Purpose | Supporting technology companies through collaboration, education, talent development and industry visibility |
| Former CEO | Julia Kanouse |
| Current Status | Acquired and integrated into 1871 in February 2020 |
The Mission of the Illinois Technology Association
The main mission of the Illinois Technology Association was to help technology companies scale. It followed this mission through four connected areas: collaboration, education, talent development and industry visibility.
Building a Connected Technology Community
Technology companies often face similar problems, including hiring skilled staff, reaching customers, gaining investment and developing strong leaders. ITA connected member businesses with people who could help meet these needs. Its network encouraged leaders to share experience and build partnerships. This gave businesses access to trusted contacts beyond their own teams.
Supporting Regional Economic Growth
ITA worked to promote the economic success of Chicago and the wider Illinois region. Strong technology firms create jobs, attract investment and support fresh business activity. By helping firms grow, the association contributed to the regional economy.
A Strategic Development Partner
ITA described itself as a strategic development arm for member companies. It helped businesses develop leaders, improve recruitment, raise their industry presence and connect with possible partners.
Membership and Company Support
The Illinois Technology Association mainly served growth-stage and established technology businesses. These companies had often moved beyond the earliest start-up phase but still needed support to expand. Membership gave businesses access to a broad professional community. Employees could join programmes, workshops and events, so benefits were not limited to one executive. Before the 2020 transaction, ITA worked with hundreds of technology companies across software, data, communications, financial technology, healthcare technology and digital services.
Talent Development
Finding skilled employees is one of the greatest challenges for technology firms. ITA addressed this through recruitment support, student engagement and professional development. The ITA Tech Challenge connected university students with employers through coding competitions. It gave students a chance to show their skills while helping companies meet future recruits. The association also helped workers develop leadership and business knowledge. These efforts supported company growth and staff retention.
Leadership and Education
ITA organised educational sessions for executives, managers and employees. Topics included business growth, technology trends, workplace culture, leadership and market development. These sessions allowed members to learn from experienced professionals and make better decisions during periods of change.
Major Illinois Technology Association Programmes
ITA became known for several programmes that supported companies and celebrated achievement across Chicago’s technology community.
CityLIGHTS Awards
The CityLIGHTS Awards honoured successful technology companies, founders and leaders. The programme became one of ITA’s best-known annual events and reached its twentieth year in 2019. After ITA joined 1871, the CityLIGHTS legacy continued within the Momentum Awards. This kept the recognition programme within Chicago’s technology calendar.
Internet of Things Council
ITA launched its Internet of Things Council in 2015. It brought together leaders from software, manufacturing, healthcare, data, retail and government. The council encouraged the development of connected technology in Chicago and gave companies a place to discuss smart devices, data systems and machine-to-machine communication.
Women Influence Chicago
Women Influence Chicago supported women working in technology and promoted stronger representation in leadership roles. The initiative connected women with employers, mentors and professional opportunities. It also encouraged technology businesses to build more inclusive workplaces.
TechForward
TechForward served as ITA’s charitable initiative. It helped young people gain exposure to coding and technology careers. One activity was a high school technology challenge. Programmes of this kind strengthened the future talent pipeline by introducing students to digital skills.
Why ITA Joined 1871 in 2020
On 18 February 2020, the Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center, the not-for-profit organisation behind 1871, acquired the main assets, programmes and operations of ITA. The deal is often called a merger because the two groups combined their teams, networks and services. However, an acquisition and operational integration is the more exact description. No cash changed hands between the two not-for-profit organisations.
Two Organisations with Different Strengths
Before the deal, 1871 was closely connected with founders, start-ups and early-stage businesses. ITA focused more on companies that had already reached the growth stage. Bringing them together created a wider support system. A business could move from an early idea into start-up development, growth, later-stage expansion and corporate innovation within one larger community.
Leadership During the Integration
Betsy Ziegler, chief executive of 1871, became the leader of the combined organisation. ITA chair Jeremie Bacon supported the move, while Julia Kanouse and other ITA employees joined 1871 during the transition. The integration aimed to protect valuable ITA programmes while removing duplicated services. It also gave former members access to 1871’s investors, mentors, corporate partners, events and innovation resources.
What Happened to the Illinois Technology Association Name?
For a short period, the combined organisation used terms such as ITA/1871. Over time, 1871 became the main public identity. ITA no longer operates as a separate active association. Its old company page remains online with historical details, but its mission and many services were absorbed into 1871. The former website address, illinoistech.org, should not be treated as an active official source today. The current centre of its continuing work is 1871.
The Lasting Impact of the Illinois Technology Association
The association gave Chicago’s technology firms a stronger collective voice. It supported business growth, improved links between employers and skilled workers, encouraged leadership development and celebrated local success. Its strongest legacy is the bridge it built between growing technology businesses and the wider Chicago innovation community. By joining 1871, that work became part of a larger platform serving companies at different stages.
The Illinois Technology Association may no longer exist independently, but its programmes, relationships and growth-stage focus helped shape the support system used by Chicago technology companies today.
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