Independent list · re-checked September 28, 2026 · published by Primortul LLC

PR firms in Illinois

4 of the 15 PR firms on this list are based in Illinois (IL), in Chicago. The other 11 are based elsewhere on the list. Who leads them, the work they can show, and why each one made the list. This is the list, not a ranking of the state. Nobody pays to be ranked.

  1. 04 on the list · Chicago, IL

    Public Communications Inc.

    Since 1962 · 11–50 people

    Public Communications Inc. (PCI) is a Chicago public relations firm at 161 N. Clark Street, founded in 1962, with about 40 team members of counselors, media specialists, writers and event staff. It focuses on healthcare, medical associations, nonprofits and cultural attractions, offering media relations, crisis and reputation management, digital, design, influencer marketing and events. O'Dwyer's directory lists clients including AARP, the Alzheimer's Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics and Brookfield Zoo Chicago.

    Why it’s hereA Chicago independent in its seventh decade with a published client list of national medical and nonprofit associations, ranked 14th on O'Dwyer's Midwest list.

    Who leads itJill Allread, CEO.

    Estimated cost

    Estimated: $8,000–$15,000/mo, typical for Midwest PR retainers; not a quote.

    Typical industry estimate, not a quote from any firm on this list.

    media relations · crisis and reputation management · healthcare and association PR · cultural attractions · event planning

  2. 10 on the list · Chicago, IL

    Walker Sands

    Since 2001 · 51–200 people

    Walker Sands is a B2B integrated marketing and public relations agency headquartered in Chicago, founded in 2001, with offices in Boston, Seattle and San Francisco. It offers strategy, strategic communications, creative, content, digital marketing and revenue operations for technology and B2B clients including Sophos, Ensono, Sendbird and Entrust. O'Dwyer's ranks it second in the Midwest with 164 staff and $33.6 million in 2025 net fees.

    Why it’s hereA ten-time Inc. 5000 honoree and the second-largest PR firm on O'Dwyer's Midwest ranking, with a practice devoted entirely to B2B.

    Who leads itAndrew Cross and Dave Parro, Co-CEOs.

    Estimated cost

    Estimated: $8,000–$15,000/mo, typical for Midwest PR retainers; not a quote.

    Typical industry estimate, not a quote from any firm on this list.

    B2B public relations · strategic communications · content · digital marketing · revenue operations

  3. 13 on the list · Chicago, IL

    Greentarget

    11–50 people

    Greentarget is a Chicago B2B public relations agency that works only with professional services firms in law, accounting, financial services, commercial real estate and management consulting. Its practice areas are earned media influence, research and market intelligence, content and editorial, digital strategy and special-situations crisis work, with BRG and Lathrop GPM named on its site. O'Dwyer's ranks it seventh in the Midwest with 41 staff and $11 million in 2025 net fees.

    Why it’s hereA Chicago firm with a single-sector focus on professional services, ranked seventh in the Midwest by O'Dwyer's on 2025 net fees.

    Who leads itJohn Corey, President & Founding Partner.

    Work they can showBRG. Content partner on BRG's ThinkSet magazine, including the Spring 2025 Antitrust Across the Atlantic issue that won a MarCom gold award.

    Estimated cost

    Estimated: $8,000–$15,000/mo, typical for Midwest PR retainers; not a quote.

    Typical industry estimate, not a quote from any firm on this list.

    professional services PR · earned media · research and market intelligence · content and editorial · crisis communications

  4. 14 on the list · Chicago, IL

    Zapwater Communications

    11–50 people

    Zapwater Communications is an integrated communications agency headquartered in Chicago with additional offices in Los Angeles and Miami. It organises category teams around consumer products, design and real estate, fashion, beauty and retail, hospitality, and travel and destinations, combining PR with influencer and social media work. O'Dwyer's ranks it 18th in the Midwest with 27 staff and $2.8 million in 2025 net fees.

    Why it’s hereNamed one of PRovoke Media's 80 best US agencies for 2025, one of only a handful of Midwest-headquartered firms on that list.

    Who leads itDavid Zapata, CEO, Founder and Partner.

    Work they can showSkydeck Chicago. Integrated PR campaign to build interest after the attraction's renovation, which won a 2024 PRSA Chicago Best of Skyline award. Visit Finland. "Find Your Inner Finn" happiness campaign that earned a 2024 PRSA Chicago Award of Excellence for media relations.

    Estimated cost

    Estimated: $8,000–$15,000/mo, typical for Midwest PR retainers; not a quote.

    Typical industry estimate, not a quote from any firm on this list.

    consumer PR · hospitality and travel · design and real estate · fashion, beauty and retail · influencer marketing

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