At the 2026 Market Outlook, Phil Clement, President & CEO of World Business Chicago, delivered a message grounded in realism and anchored in confidence. His session focused on why Chicago continues to attract investment, talent and long-term commitments, even amid national uncertainty.
Clement spoke directly to REALTORS® as an on-the-ground ambassador for the city. Review materials from Phil’s session and key takeaways below.
REALTORS® as Chicago’s Everyday Ambassadors
Clement opened by acknowledging the role REALTORS® play in shaping how Chicago is experienced and understood. Block by block and client by client, REALTORS® influence how people view neighborhoods, business districts and the city as a whole, both locally and globally.
That perspective matters, particularly at a time when narratives about cities can lag behind the facts on the ground.
“You experience this city block by block and client by client, and through your work, you shape how Chicago is understood.”
A City Building on Momentum
Rather than defining the city, that period sharpened its focus and reinforced the importance of disciplined leadership, collaboration and long-term planning.
Clement framed the current moment as a transition into a larger phase of growth—one built on stability and now expanding in scale. He emphasized that progress requires sustained effort, but noted that clear indicators suggest momentum is not only intact, but accelerating:
- Public safety trends are improving, including significant reductions in violent crime
- Development activity re-entering the pipeline, with additional projects approved
- Major events successfully hosted, reinforcing Chicago’s operational strength
Taken together, these signals point to a city building on its strengths and entering a more ambitious chapter.
Companies Continue to Choose Chicago
Chicago continues to be a leading destination for corporate relocations and expansions. Clement highlighted several enduring advantages that consistently factor into these decisions.
- Geography & access: A central North American location and unmatched connectivity
- Infrastructure: O’Hare International Airport, inland ports and a robust transportation network
- Economic diversity: No single industry dominates the economy, allowing Chicago to weather downturns more effectively
- Workforce depth: A large, skilled labor pool supported by a steady pipeline of graduates
This combination creates resilience and long-term confidence for investment decisions.
The Narrative Gap: Perception vs. Reality
A central theme of the session was what Clement described as a “narrative gap” — the difference between how Chicago is often portrayed and what data and lived experience actually show.
From large-scale events like the Chicago Marathon and New Year’s celebrations to day-to-day economic activity, Chicago continues to demonstrate its capacity to execute and thrive. Yet those successes don’t always translate into national headlines.
For REALTORS®, this gap is especially relevant. Client decisions, whether residential or commercial, are often shaped as much by perception as by facts.
“You don’t have to wear rose-colored glasses to believe there’s a gap between the stories we hear and the reality on the ground.”
Investment, Infrastructure & Long-Term Growth
Clement also outlined a wave of visible, tangible investments underway across Chicago, from transit and education to cultural and innovation-driven projects. These initiatives span neighborhoods and sectors, reinforcing the idea that growth is not isolated to a single corridor or industry.
More than $18 billion worth of investments include:
- Quantum Shore Chicago
- The Obama Presidential Center
- Chicago Fire FC Stadium
- Google Midwest Headquarters
- Navy Pier Upgrades
- And more!
Clement emphasized the broader pattern behind these investments: sustained capital commitment paired with strategic planning. Together, they signal confidence in Chicago’s long-term trajectory.
What “The Safe Bet” Means for REALTORS®
Chicago’s long-term strengths — its diverse economy, deep talent pool, infrastructure and cultural vitality — provide a stable foundation for real estate decisions across market cycles.
In moments of uncertainty, clients look for professionals who can separate headlines from fundamentals. REALTORS® are uniquely positioned to do that by drawing on local insight and credible data to frame Chicago as a city that continues to invest, adapt and compete.
This narrative matters in client conversations. Whether advising a homebuyer weighing timing, a seller assessing demand or an investor evaluating long-term opportunity, you can point to sustained capital investment, improving public safety trends and ongoing economic development as indicators of momentum.