Serving as a primer for economic development professionals and doubling as the equivalent to IEDC's Introductory Course in preparation for the IEDC Certification Exam, the Basic Economic Development Course is an annual offering in the State of Illinois. The Illinois Economic Development Association, along with Nicor Gas, ComEd, Ameren, and Hoosier Energy support our BEDC Program and help sponsor a number of early-career economic developers, planners, city managers, and elected officials. Illinois BEDC is offered every October and more information can be found at BEDCIllinois.com. Over 1,600 professionals have graduated from the Illinois BEDC, which is now the second oldest economic development training program in the nation. This nationally-renowned course is instructed by 20 experienced and successful Professionals. First-hand knowledge is shared by practitioners (each with at least 15 years of experience) who have worked in several different states around the country.