|
Located in the heart of North America,
the State of Illinois – including the great metropolis
of Chicago and beyond – is recognised as one of
the nation’s leading states for economic development.
This is due to its central location, expansive transportation
network,
financial resources, strong workforce and unparalleled
quality of life.
Under the direction of Governor Rod Blagojevich, the
State of Illinois is embarking on new initiatives to
expand economic opportunities across the state resulting
in prosperous, growing industries, rising real incomes
and high quality jobs. The Governor’s plan, Opportunity
Returns, is the most aggressive, comprehensive approach
to creating jobs to date in Illinois.
This new comprehensive, regional approach to economic
development in Illinois divides the state into ten separate
economic regions by finding areas with similar economic
strengths and similar economic needs, and then creates
a separate regional economic development plan for each
of them. Strengthening education and workforce preparedness
are also top priorities for Governor Blagojevich’s
administration. Through the 21st Century Jobs Training
Initiative, the state is creating a new generation of
employer-focused, customised training to address the
needs of Illinois’ business community. The state
has an impressive workforce with the skills needed to
help business succeed. Nearly half of the states 5.9
million workers are professionals, or skilled technicians,
with 46.3% having gained education beyond high school.
Illinois leads the nation in college entrance exam scores
for both the ACT and SAT tests. Illinois boasts 175
degree-granting institutions of higher learning that
enrolled 780,500 students. There are nine public universities
on 12 campuses that offer a full range of educational
programmes, including nearly 700 baccalaureate programmes
and nearly 200 doctoral programmes.
Illinois’ central location gives it the opportunity
to act as North America’s transportation hub and
as a global centre for commerce. Currently, 34 Fortune
500 companies choose Illinois as their corporate headquarters,
and more than 610,00 small businesses are located in
Illinois. More than a fifth of the US Gross National
Product is produced in the Midwestern states and nearly
half of all goods and services created in the US are
produced within 500 miles of Illinois.
With a modern transportation system that utilises air,
ground transportation, rail and waterways to provide
direct routes to every US market and international ports,
it’s easy to understand why so many businesses
have decided to call Illinois home.
The state’s superiority in logistics and transportation
is supported via three coast-to-coast interstates and
more interstate miles than all but two other states;
a rail network that gives more than two dozen railroads
the ability to provide service from Illinois to every
part of the
United States; and 1,118 miles of navigable waterways
bordering or passing through the state. At
the heart of the nation’s interstate highway system,
Illinois is ranked number one in value of shipments
originating in the state with $196.4bn worth of goods
shipped.
There are 1,125 airports, landing areas and heliports
in Illinois, and the proposed expansion of Chicago O’Hare
International Airport
will further enhance the speed and safety of moving
people and products across the country and around the
world.
 |
Manufacturers will find the resources
they need in Illinois to achieve their goals. Major
industries concentrated in Illinois include primary
and secondary metals, industrial and farm equipment,
electric equipment and appliances, electronic components,
food processing, and printing. Illinois ranks first
among the states in the production of construction machinery,
cookies, candy, service industry machines and environmental
controls. The state is also a leader in the production
of farm machinery, cereals, magazines, plastic products
and machine tool products. For manufacturers, it’s
important to know that Illinois companies can supply
almost any sub-assembly component or finished product.
Illinois’ manufacturers are supported by a workforce
renowned for its productivity. Illinois’ manufacturing
value added index of $82.93 per hour of labour is among
the best and exceeds the national average by $1.18 per
hour.
Illinois ranks number one among Midwestern states as
a destination for foreign investment. Nearly 70 nations
maintain consulates in Illinois. To aid companies in
their ability to grow and prosper, both domestically
and internationally, Illinois offers companies the ability
to access capital from more than 4,000 banks and financial
lending institutions (40 international banks). In addition,
there are more than 1,500 insurance carriers located
in the state, including 150 of the nation’s largest.
There are currently 95 Illinois Enterprise Zones, which
offer an array of state and local tax incentives, along
with seven Foreign Trade Zones.
At the end of the day, Illinois offers a quality of
life for its residents ranging from the bright lights
and big-city excitement of Chicago to the serenity of
the Garden of the Gods in the Shawnee National Forest
in Southern Illinois. Moreover, Illinois is a cultural
and historical haven. Chicago is the birthplace of modern
architecture, offering a breathtaking skyline, stunning
lakefront and world-class museums,
theatres and four-star restaurants. The state capital
of Springfield sits at the heart of “The Land
of Lincoln”, featuring many historic sites related
to the nation’s 16th President and the soon-to-be-opened
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.
For foreign companies interested in investing in Illinois,
the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
and its Illinois Trade Office can provide individual
assistance through our Chicago headquarters, foreign
trade offices, or our network of professional service
providers.
To learn more about Illinois’ business and quality
of life advantages, contact the Illinois Department
of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
at +1 800 252 2223 or visit its website at www.illinoisbiz.biz
 |
|
