Illinois Business Developments

Illinois as the biggest marketplace in the Midwest and home to more than 2000 corporate headquarters, a bustling startup scene, and over 1.2 million small businesses, is home to the infrastructure that firms require to flourish in the current business climate. From world-class infrastructure which connects businesses to suppliers and customers to skilled and knowledgeable workforces in various industries as well as an advanced manufacturing base - Illinois is a leader in many areas like advanced and clean energy, agribusiness, IT life sciences and transportation logistics.

Illinois has witnessed a significant increase in foreign investment over the last few years. Countries such as Britain, Japan, Germany and China were among the most investing in Illinois in 2023. By that time, the total was more than USD $13.2 billion across manufacturing, agribusiness and other industries in Illinois all by itself.

Since 2014, over $1 billion in incentives has been given out under Illinois Reimagining Energy and Vehicles program to firms that supply electric vehicles and renewable energy production. In the last month, DCEO also provided PsiQuantum Manufacturing with an incentive package totaling over $200 million for their new advanced manufacturing facility in East Alton.

Governor JB Pritzker accompanied by representatives of his organization, Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Network and local officials today in Chicago to officially launch CZ Biohub Chicago - a innovative research hub that is that is at the forefront of cutting-edge research. The project will unite University of Chicago, Urbana-Champaign State University (UIUC) and Northwestern University researchers to study human tissue development as in developing revolutionary therapeutics.

Governor JB Pritzker and Flender Corporation recently announced they are expanding their existing manufacturing facility in Elgin that will result in 50 full-time employees while maintaining the 140 full-time positions they currently have.

The Illinois Small Business Development Center at Southern Illinois University is funded partly through a cooperative arrangement between U.S. Small Business Administration, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and Southern Illinois University. The center provides local entrepreneurs with assistance in beginning or expanding their business with services that include free workshops on business planning One-on-one counseling sessions with expert Business Advisors, and access to financing opportunities.

State officials in Indiana are informing employers to provide higher salaries and benefits as a way of keeping child care workers working across the nation which is a problem due to a shortage of work. This comes following the closing of a children's care center in Bronzeville which struggled to retain staff.

Illinois juneau police department Press release (mirror.xyz) of Labor also launched an online tool designed to educate small businesses on labor laws. Employers can search for keywords or browse through categories on this site, and connect to the appropriate state agencies and other resources.

Illinois Business Development Authority (IBDA) has taken steps to make people aware of Illinois tax incentives that can be used for business expansion. They hosted an online webinar about this topic. The event was recorded. The webinar will later become archived and posted on their site.