Will County Gazette

State Sen. John Curran (R-Lemont) is fondly remembering Illinois Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Todd Maisch as a champion for working people.

"The business community lost a champion for working people throughout our state with the passing of Illinois Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Todd Maisch," Curran posted on Facebook. "Todd dedicated his career to building a stronger business climate and a stronger Illinois, and he and his work will be greatly missed. I will be thinking of his memory and praying for his family and numerous friends during this time of grief."

The 57-year-old Maisch, who rose to become president and CEO of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce roughly three decades after beginning his career there in 1994, died earlier this month of undisclosed causes.

At the height of the recent COVID-19 crisis, Maisch fought to keep businesses open, imploring top leaders across the state to do a better job of looking after both the state’s “public health crisis and the economic” issues. 

Maisch also earned praise and respect for his ability to work well with members of both parties, despite Illinois long being a state controlled by Democrats.

“Throughout his career, he worked to advance proposals to grow the state’s business community, big and small,” Gov. J.B. Pritzker said in a statement. “He was passionate about making Illinois a better place to live, work, and do business and he leaves behind a storied legacy of service.”

 A native of Peoria, Maisch earned an MBA from Illinois State University and a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. According to the Chamber website, Maisch served on the Steering Committee of the Illinois Business Immigration Coalition, and was a member of the U.S. Chamber Committee of 100.