The following is a letter to the editor from John Carpenter, President & CEO, Choose DuPage

Here we go again. A recent article published in the Daily Herald by Washington Post writer Jonathan O’Connell, “Suburbs left scrambling as McDonald’s, other firms relocate to big cities,” continues to spread the false narrative of business relocating to city centers for better opportunities.

The article focuses on McDonald’s decision in 2016 to leave Oak Brook for Chicago’s West Loop neighborhood to attract a younger workforce and integrate better uses of technology. In truth, this migration should be seen for what it really is — a cost-cutting measure. While companies moving downtown will pay more per square foot for the smaller real estate, due to the reduced head count and benefit incentives, savings are realized.

Despite the misleading headlines, the western suburbs of Chicago are alive and well. DuPage County maintains the lowest unemployment rate in the Chicago region, as it has consistently for years and we are confident our skilled and educated workforce will fuel our growing business sector for years to come. We are excited for this opportunity to attract new residents and businesses to an impressive Oak Brook complex with a supersized opportunity in DuPage County.