The Business & Industry Federation of Economic Concern (BIFEC) is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization composed of regional and statewide businesses, trade and professional associations, corporations or corporate departments interested in staying informed on Illinois business issues.

 The term “BIFEC” was first used in April 1975 to promote a major statehouse gathering: The Businessmen’s March on Springfield (IL).  The march advocated concern and changes in Illinois Workers’ Compensation and Unemployment Compensation Laws.  Thereafter, BIFEC evolved as a coalition of corporations & management associations concerned about legislation impacting the business community. 

BIFEC provides a forum for quality discussion on business issues and only meets when the General Assembly is in session in Springfield, Illinois. BIFEC does not advocate any specific positions or policy.


BIFEC 2021-2023 Officers

Chair
Deno Perdiou

AT&T of Illinois 

Vice Chair
Liz Hobart

Growmark, Inc. 
​

Treasurer
Ben Jackson 

Illinois Bankers Association 

BIFEC 2021-2023 Executive Committee

Laura Minzer

Illinois Life & Health Insurance Council 

Kevin "KJ" Johnson 

Illinois Fertilizer & Chemical Association 
​

Michael Henry 

ComEd

Nick Reitz 

Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives 

Megan Peck 

Community Bankers Association of Illinois ​

Jessica Newbold-Hoselton 

Illinois Mechanical & Specialty
​Contractors Association 

DeShana Forney 

People's Gas & North Shore Gas 

Chris Coleman 

Associated Beer Distributors of Illinois 
​

India Hammons 

Ameren Illinois 

Matt Hart 

Past Chair
Illinois Trucking Association 

BIFEC was incorporated in 1979 and the following members have served as Chairpersons

1977 - 1978 Phil Redick 
1978 - 1981 C. Ben Pitcher 
1981 - 1983 Charles Knittle 
1983 - 1987 Robert Walters 
1987 - 1989 Ronald Hoffman 
1989 - 1991 David Sykuta 
1991 - 1993 Donald Defoe 
1993 - 1995 Darcy Davidsmeyer 
1995 - 1997 Jay Shattuck
1997 - 1999 Joan Parker
1999 - 2001 J. Barry Johnson

2001 - 2003 Donald Schaefer
2003 - 2005 Keith Sias
2005 - 2007 Thomas Walters
2007 - 2009 Kim Maisch
2009 - 2011 Brad Babcook
2011 - 2013 Randy Mitchelson
2013 - 2015 Scott Humbard
2015 - 2017 Dan Eichholz
2017 - 2019 Rob Carney
2019 - 2021 Matt Hart