Downers Grove, Hoffman Estates and Lombard businesses named among ‘Best Places to Work’ in Illinois

Ryan, LLC scored the hat trick.

The tax services firm with a regional office in Downers Grove earned the No. 1 ranking among businesses with 500 or more United States employees at the Daily Herald Suburban Business’ Best Places to Work in Illinois awards event Thursday at Abbington Distinctive Banquets in Glen Ellyn.

Ryan has earned the top honor for large employers three straight years.

“After two in a row we thought, well, probably not going to happen again. But absolutely thrilled that it did,” said Ryan Principal Shawn King.

“Culture is so important at Ryan, it starts at the top and works its way down to the team. I’m really proud just to represent Ryan and represent my Illinois colleagues.”

The 2026 Best Places to Work in Illinois contest was presented for the 21st year by Daily Herald Suburban Business in partnership with Workforce Research Group of Houston. Signature Bank sponsored the event. The Illinois Chamber of Commerce and HR Source were marketing partners.

The program honored 32 companies from across the state, from Gurnee to Carbondale, St. Charles to Sauget.

Winners are determined based 20% on employer questionnaires about such aspects as benefits, policies, and creative initiatives; and 80% on anonymous employee surveys including workplace satisfaction, trust in leadership, pay benefits, engagement and communication.

Peter Burke, owner and president of Workforce Research Group, has been involved with Best Places to Work in Illinois all 21 years. Nationally, he said employee engagement is at 31%. In Illinois it’s 91%, which he called “elite.”

“Food trucks are great, national doughnut days are fun, but what truly sets you apart is that your employees feel heard,” Burke said. “They feel valued, they feel connected to the mission of the organization. You cannot manufacture a 91% engagement rate, you earn it.”

Ryan earned it offering such programs as the flexible work arrangement, myRyan, and Ryan Thrive, addressing workers’ physical, mental, and career well-being.

“It’s a very entrepreneurial firm,” said King, whose team let out a whoop when Burke mentioned the hat trick. “I really think when you come to Ryan, you take your career into your own hands.”

Ryan, LLC also was rated the No. 2 workplace for Generation Z, women, and for diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives (DEI).

Performance Services of Lombard, which helps public entities with architectural, engineering and construction needs, won for a second straight year among medium-sized companies of 100-499 U.S. employees. It ranked No. 1 in DEI.

Accepting the award, Vice President Brian Ondyak said the company’s “non-negotiables” were delivering value to customers that translated to well-paid employees, and creating a satisfying work culture.

“If you’ve got both, I think that’s really why we’re all in this room together. That’s the sweet spot,” Ondyak said.

CPA firm Porte Brown LLC of Elk Grove Village, the 2024 medium-sized winner, was ranked No. 1 for Generation Z and also for women.

Another Elk Grove company, Mid-West Moving & Storage, ranked No. 3 in DEI.

Clearwater Capital Partners, a 20-year-old wealth management firm in Hoffman Estates, took home the top award for small employers between 15-99 U.S. employees.

Its “very shocked” chief revenue officer, Katie Berganske-Frank, said a company goal is to create a spirit of abundance and empowerment both for its clients and employees, for whom Clearwater aims to provide “more a calling than a job,” she said.

They’re there to do business, but also to collaborate in activities such as the June 6 Clearwater Capital Foundation supercar show, with food trucks, pickleball and 250 autos. Proceeds from sponsorships and donations go to charity.

“We’re all coming together for a very big day of impact,” Berganske-Frank said. “It’s only three hours long so it’s not even an all-day thing, but that’s a really fun event that our employees really enjoy being a part of.”

Gina Schoenrade, Daily Herald vice president of sales and digital strategy, was pleased with Ryan’s three-peat and the mix of businesses at the event, which drew about 150 people.

“And one final note,” she told them. “Registration for Best Places to Work 2027 is now open.”