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