CHICAGO – Health IT company Allscripts plans to double its Chicago workforce, adding 300 new jobs by the end of 2012. It's good news for Chicago, and Allscripts gave Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel first dibs on the June 28 announcement.

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The company, which has 5,500 employees across 24 states,  also announced it would hold its users conference at Chicago’s McCormick Place beginning in 2012 through 2014.

"I am committed to creating an economic climate in Chicago that attracts and retains businesses and encourages growth and investment," said Emanuel. "Allscripts' commitment to bring 300 jobs to Chicago and invest in the city's future by holding the annual users conference here through 2014 is proof of our economic competitiveness."

The conference, which takes place in August and is known as the Allscripts Client Experience (ACE), is expected to draw more than 5,000 visitors each year.

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“I am excited that we can make this commitment to the City of Chicago and Mayor Emanuel,” said Allscripts CEO Glen Tullman (pictured at right). “Allscripts is committed to improving the quality of healthcare and better managing costs for patients across the country and around the world, but we are especially proud of our clients throughout Chicagoland, leading health systems like Advocate and smaller independent practices such as Doctors of the North Shore, who provide their patients with world class healthcare using the latest technology. We are looking forward to expanding our relationship with Chicago.”

Allscripts has leased additional space in the Merchandise Mart, which will house the new positions. The positions will be in sales, product development, implementation and services.