Why do we promote Illinois as an ideal film production destination? Sure, it’s fun to see movie stars walking through town, big lights and camera rigs suspended over every imaginable location, and seeing our home state up on the big screen gives us a sense of civic pride. But the driving reason we work so hard to foster this industry is that the film business has a sizable impact on the Illinois economy and brings thousands of jobs to the state each year.
In 2000, Illinois began suffering a mass exodus of the film industry as other states and Canada began enacting film incentives. By 2003, the Illinois film industry had fallen to an all-time low of $23 million in revenue. In response, the legislature passed the Illinois Film Tax Credit that incents production companies to choose Illinois for their filming needs. Since then, the film industry has rebounded dramatically. In December 2008 our current 30% Film tax Credit was signed into law and we expect 2009 to be among our strongest years yet.
In 2007, Illinois brought in a record $155 million in revenue from projects attracted by our Film Tax Credit. These films provided thousands of job opportunities for everything from electricians, welders, construction workers, painters, truck drivers, accountants, hair and make up stylists, actors, extras, caterers, security personnel and all types of office workers. According to the University of Illinois, the film industry has strong employment and income multiplier impacts. In 2007, Illinois film industry activity supported more than 4,000 Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) jobs in Illinois - an 80% increase over 2006.
The indirect economic benefits of the film industry are apparent in scores of related retail and service industries including hotels, restaurants, rental car companies, office and equipment rentals, hardware stores, lumber yards, heavy machinery rentals, soundstages, storage facilities, grocery stores, janitorial services, payroll services and many more.
So while we don’t mind running into Matt Damon in Decatur or spotting Angelina Jolie at a sidewalk café in Chicago, film in Illinois is about the people of Illinois. Movies, television shows and commercials are great for Illinois jobs and the Illinois economy.
