Film production companies spent a record $703 million in Illinois in 2025, reflecting significant growth in the state’s film and television industry, according to an announcement made by lawmakers and industry leaders on March 19.
The increase marks a 25 percent rise in film expenditures since before the pandemic in 2019. Officials say this makes Illinois a leading destination for film and TV production, with an estimated 18,000 industry hires supported by these activities.
Governor JB Pritzker said at a news conference at Cinespace Studios Chicago that much of this growth is due to the Illinois Film Tax Credit. The credit offers a 35 percent transferable incentive for productions filmed within the state and has been extended through 2039. “The future of film, the future of storytelling, is going to be shaped right here,” Pritzker said. “Whether your dream is to be a TV star or a movie star, an A-list director or renowned cinematographer, Illinois is the place to be. As a lover of movies and TV shows myself and as governor of the great state of Illinois, I’m looking forward to making that happen and seeing all the incredible work that will be produced right here in the Hollywood of the Midwest.”
Additional support has come from initiatives like the Illinois Soundstage Capital Grant Program. Managed by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, this program provided $10 million in funding during its 2024 cycle for constructing and upgrading studio infrastructure.
Peter Hawley, director of the Illinois Film Office, highlighted another first for Illinois: offering production companies an additional tax credit for environmentally friendly filmmaking under its new Film Production Tax Credit Act. Productions meeting sustainable criteria can receive an extra five percent credit. “Being first is both a great honor and a lot of responsibility,” Hawley said. “The eyes of the production world will be on Illinois. Fortunately, we’re in a good position to start.” He also noted concerns about environmental impacts such as food waste and generator use on sets.
Actor Joe Minoso spoke about his experience filming “Chicago Fire” at Cinespace Studios over more than a decade. “Fourteen years ago today, actually, we were filming the pilot of ‘Chicago Fire’ in these very streets,” Minoso said. He described how Cinespace transformed from empty buildings into one of America’s most active production facilities: “That kind of transformation is the spirit of Chicago. We don’t abandon our spaces; we reinvent them.” Minoso credited tax incentives with helping him launch his own company: “When you’re making a film that costs $50,000 but 35 percent of that is going to be something you can recoup…you get so much more value on camera…that I think is one of the greatest gifts that you can give an artist…I’ve told so many people I think that this town is the town to be an artist.”
