Join us in Chicago! EO Capital Roadmap Roadshow Breakfast
Building on last year’s well-attended SOCAP breakfast where we unveiled the inaugural 2025 Employee Ownership Capital Roadmap, this Chicago gathering marks the next stop on our national roadshow to move more capital into employee ownership, city by city. This stop is hosted at The Metropolitan Club in Chicago, conveniently located in Willis Tower.
Illinois stands on the threshold of a historic policy breakthrough. Proposed state legislation (IL HB4955, the Employee Ownership Development Act) could direct up to 5% of Illinois' state investment portfolio into employee ownership funds—making it the first state in the nation to enact a capital allocation of this scale. In parallel, momentum is building at the federal level with AORA (the American Ownership and Resilience Act), which aims to offer low-cost, long duration debt capital to unlock private capital for employee-owned businesses nationwide.
Policy authorizes capital, but it doesn't deploy it on its own. This moment calls for a robust ecosystem to deploy capital effectively.
Co-hosted by Ownership Capital Lab, Lafayette Square Institute and Impact Engine, this breakfast gathering brings together local and national fund managers, impact investors, policy pioneers and field builders to leverage this pivotal moment. Together, we will examine how Illinois' groundbreaking momentum can set a scalable playbook for the rest of the country—and what infrastructure, deal pipelines and fund readiness are required to turn policy potential into real economic mobility.
This breakfast will precede SOCAP26. Formal programming will end by 9:15 AM, timed to end before the first SOCAP session opens. There will be time for networking for those who want to stick around.
7:45–8:15: Arrival, breakfast, networking
8:15–9:15: Formal program (timed to end before first SOCAP session opens)
9:15–10:30: Networking continues
Location: The Metropolitan. Located in Willis Tower, 67th Floor - East Room.
Thank you to our local advisor: Illinois Center for Employee Ownership
The Metropolitan – Guest Arrival Information
Franklin Street Entrance | Expedited Access to the 67th Floor
We look forward to welcoming you to The Metropolitan, located in the Willis Tower at 233 S. Wacker Drive.
For the most convenient access, please enter through the 232 S. Franklin Street Lobby.
Once inside, stop by the Security Desk to check in with a valid, government-issued photo ID. Security will guide you through a brief screening process, where any items you’re carrying will be scanned. Afterward, the security team will direct you to the appropriate elevator bank for your visit. Proceed to the 67th floor and follow signs to your reserved room.
Please note: A visitor badge will be provided at check-in. Kindly keep this with you throughout your visit, especially if you plan to step out and return to the building.
Parking
• 211 W. Adams Street (Tower Parking)
Entrance on Franklin Street— SpotHero recommended
• 329 S. Franklin Street (Traders Parking)
SpotHero recommended