Public Accountability Report

In fiscal year 2025 (FY25), the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (the “Department”) continued to drive job creation, business growth, and expanded opportunities across the State of Illinois while delivering essential services to its citizens. Building on lessons from the pandemic era, our efforts are now focused on long-term resilience and inclusive economic development. We remain 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 strategies that emphasize sustainable growth, workforce innovation, and community investment.

• In fiscal year 2025 (FY25), travel to and within Illinois continues to strengthen, reaching and surpassing pre-pandemic levels. The Department has supported communities across the state in expanding tourism and festival offerings. Hotel-Motel tax receipts in FY25 totaled $367.1 billion, while domestic and international travel expenditures grew from $47.2 billion in FY24 to $48.5 billion in FY25. Travelers are demonstrating strong demand for Illinois destinations. Looking ahead, Illinois is excited to welcome even more visitors, with the upcoming 100th anniversary of Route 66 in 2026 expected to draw global attention. As our ad campaign proudly declares, Illinois is truly the “Middle of Everything.”
• In FY25, the Film Tax Credit Program brought in over $680.7 million of total production expenditures and $334.0 million in wages. In FY25, the Live Theater Tax Credit Program brought in $54.6 million in production expenditures and $26.9 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 $10.3 billion was invested by businesses. 
• The value of export sales remained resilient in Illinois. The export sales value was $67.3 billion in FY25.  Additionally, the Department facilitated the addition of 445 jobs added through foreign companies locating in Illinois.     
• 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 FY25, over 15,500 clients were advised by centers.
• Illinois APEX Accelerators (formally known as Illinois Procurement and Technical Assistance Centers) helped Illinois businesses secure over $652.7 million in government contracts in FY25. 3,388 clients were advised and 5,470 clients were trained.
• In FY25, 1,700 applicants were accepted into the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program and 1,400 graduated. 

In FY25, the Department provide assistance to individuals through various federally-funded programs.  These included:  

Illinois Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program 

• 361,245 households receiving heating assistance 
• 73,524 households receiving emergency assistance of reconnection of heat 
• 68,382 households in imminent threat of disconnection or that were disconnected receiving heating assistance 
• 1,487 heating systems repaired or replaced

Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance Program 

• 1,907 housing units weatherized 

Community Service Block Grant Program 

• 326,855 individuals receiving services to improve health development
• 11,443 individuals receiving services to stabilize their housing 
• 176,715 individuals receiving services to improve their social /behavioral development 

  Community Development Block Grant Program  

• 78,607 individuals served by public infrastructure (water and sewer) improvements

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Program 

• 13,789 workers trained