Gov. JB Pritzker is putting Illinois on the map as the next big movie-making hotspot with a cool $10 million in grants doled out to pump up the state's film infrastructure. According to a press release from the Illinois government, this chunk of change is part of the Illinois Soundstage Capital Grant Program, destined to boost the local economy by attracting more flicks to Illinois turf.
Chicago's own The Fields Studios is set to pocket half the funds, while Fresh Films in Rock Island is banking $3.8 million, and Champaign's Flyover Studios will nab $1.1 million to help get their projects off the ground. Pritzker vowed, "The demand for film production space in Illinois is growing every day," and asserted that he's jazzed to see what the grant recipients will create. Illinois is clearly aiming to diversify and expand its film production footprint, clearly eager to start rolling more tapes and cash registers across the state.
With the governor and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton rooting for Illinois' entry into the top ranks of North American production centers, the state is also throwing tax credits into the mix. "The film industry has strong roots in Illinois, and now we are actively encouraging upward expansion and increased diversity," Stratton told the press. This strategy seems to be paying off, with a reported $3.6 billion in economic activity stirred up by this industry from FY17 to FY22.
The Fields Studios, a part of Knickpoint Ventures, is set to convert a former industrial space into a beehive of creativity, complete with retail and residential units. Zain Koita, Knickpoint Ventures' Managing Partner, said their goal is to make Illinois "a top filming destination globally" and promised over "1,000 new film-related union job opportunities." In turn, this will likely put more money in local pockets and spotlight Illinois stories on the global stage.
Vying for a piece of the cinematic action, Fresh Films' Kelli Feigley remarked that the grant is a "catalyst to diversify the local economy." Echoing these sentiments, Jennifer Shelby of Flyover Studios expressed excitement about the grant bolstering central Illinois. All these initiatives are a clear move to spread the wealth and jobs from Lake Michigan to the Mississippi River and beyond.
Illinois isn't just throwing money around, though. There's a plan to make the film scene more diverse, training and hiring over 200 individuals since last year, primarily women and students of color. They're definitely putting their money where their mouth is to ensure the film industry looks more like the state itself. Illinois appears ready to yell "Action!" on the next chapter in their economic story.
