Public Accountability Report
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
(Appropriated Spending in Thousands)
| FY |
FY |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reporting Programs | Expenditures | Headcount | Expenditures | Headcount |
| Community Assistance | $ 440,021.3 | 61.0 | $ 628,233.1 | 49.1 |
| Grant Management | $ 422,119.6 | 82.0 | $ 126,977.7 | 54.5 |
| Business Development | $ 189,499.6 | 46.0 | $ 293,777.4 | 46.3 |
| Employment and Training | $ 187,972.0 | 67.0 | $ 172,814.7 | 66.8 |
| COVID-19 Pandemic Response | $ 147,847.2 | 0.0 | $ 155,339.2 | 0.0 |
| Tourism | $ 84,261.1 | 8.0 | $ 95,282.2 | 6.8 |
| Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Technology | $ 84,007.8 | 35.0 | $ 19,003.3 | 23.2 |
| Community Development | $ 23,088.0 | 21.0 | $ 33,802.7 | 24.5 |
| Broadband | $ 17,499.6 | 12.0 | $ 9,622.7 | 2.7 |
| Energy Transition Assistance | $ 13,552.9 | 5.0 | $ 1,162.7 | 1.4 |
| Illinois Works | $ 12,039.8 | 10.0 | $ 8,947.7 | 6.8 |
| Trade and Investment | $ 8,659.6 | 16.0 | $ 6,313.2 | 17.7 |
| Economic Equity and Empowerment | $ 5,375.7 | 14.0 | $ 23,799.4 | 13.6 |
| Illinois Film Office | $ 3,980.5 | 10.0 | $ 2,127.3 | 9.5 |
| Totals | $ 1,639,924.7 | 387.0 | $ 1,577,203.3 | 322.9 |
Amounts may not sum to total due to rounding.
Agency Narrative
Agency Narrative
In fiscal year 2024 (FY24), the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (the “Department”) continued to bring and sustain jobs, business, and opportunities to the State of Illinois while providing critical services to the citizens of Illinois, especially those most impacted by the COVID pandemic. Our efforts are guided by the state’s economic development plan: A Plan to Revitalize the Illinois Economy and Build the Workforce of the Future, as well as Federal and State plans for pandemic recovery.
- After reopening, travel to and within Illinois is rebounding to pre-pandemic levels. In fiscal year 2024, the Department offered the Tourism Attractions and Festivals Grant Program to boost tourism and festivals in Illinois. Fiscal year 2024 Hotel-Motel tax receipts were $322 billion. Domestic and international travel expenditures rose from $44.3 billion in fiscal year 2023 to $47.2 billion in fiscal year 2024. Illinois is thrilled to be welcoming back travelers and expects to see even more travel throughout Illinois in the future, especially with the 100th anniversary of Route 66 coming in 2026. As the ad campaign declares, Illinois is truly the “Middle of Everything.”
- In fiscal year 2024, the Film Tax Credit Program brought in over $560.4 million of total production expenditures and $292.7 million in wages. In fiscal year 2024, the Live Theater Tax Credit Program brought in $25 million in production expenditures and $10.3 million in wages.
- Through the catalog of offerings from the Office of Business Development (Advantage Illinois, Economic Development for a Growing Economy Tax Credit Program, High Impact Business Program, Illinois Opportunity Zones, Prime Sites and River Edge Redevelopment Zone Program), over $9.1 billion was invested by businesses with 6,034 jobs created.
- The value of export sales stood strong in Illinois. The export sales value was $79 billion in fiscal year 2024. Additionally, the Department facilitated the addition of 2,948 jobs added through foreign companies locating in Illinois.
- In fiscal year 2024, 59 jobs were created and 167 jobs were retained through grants to minority-owned businesses from the Office of Economic Equity and Empowerment.
- Illinois Small Business Development Centers, funded through the Department, continued to support small businesses and startups in Illinois through direct services and a network of resources by providing information, regulatory assistance, advocacy and business guidance. In fiscal year 2024, over 25,000 clients were advised by centers.
- Illinois APEX Accelerators (formally known as Illinois Procurement and Technical Assistance Centers) helped Illinois businesses secure over $37.8 million in government contracts in fiscal year 2024. 2,475 clients were advised and 3,372 clients were trained.
- In fiscal year 2024, 1,800 applicants were accepted into the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program, 1,530 graduated and 1,260 were hired into DOL registered apprenticeship programs.
In fiscal year 2024, the Department provide assistance to individuals through various federally-funded programs. These included:
Illinois Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program
- 338,324 households receiving heating assistance
- 44,466 households receiving emergency assistance of reconnection of heat
- 52,023 households in imminent threat of disconnection or that were disconnected receiving heating assistance
- 1,329 heating systems repaired or replaced
Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance Program
- 3,224 housing units weatherized
Community Service Block Grant Program
- 341,202 individuals receiving services to improve health development
- 9,111 individuals receiving services to stabilize their housing
- 177,086 individuals receiving services to improve their social /behavioral development
Community Development Block Grant Program
- 79,823 individuals served by public infrastructure (water and sewer) improvements
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Program
- 14,276 workers trained
