Crain’s Chicago Business: Companies are “Flocking” to Research Park

An article published in the Feb. 15 print edition of Crain’s Chicago Business examines the trend of large corporations opening innovation centers in the University of Illinois Research Park. 

“Inside these buildings, brightly colored offices are not bogged down by the typical cubicles. Rather, they are filled with ping-pong tables, bean bags and open desks and tables sprinkled with Silicon Valley-type toys. Around these tables, companies’ full-time employees work on research projects and the like with part-time student employees and, sometimes, faculty. Deere has designed new apps for farmers, and Abbott has worked on systems to enhance how its research professionals share information,” writes Crain’s reporter Lynne Marek. 

The entire article can be viewed online.