June 16, 2022
Illinois Shatters Record for Film Revenues with
$630 Million in Economic Impact in 2021
Film production revenue surpasses pre-pandemic levels in 2019 - signaling a
strong recovery and positive economic impact for communities
CHICAGO - Governor JB Pritzker and Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot today announced that projected
film production revenue in 2021 hit a record high of $630 million shattering pre-pandemic
levels in 2019 by $70 million. Film production revenues are the costs associated with film,
television, streaming, and digital media, which have steadily increased over the past 10 years. Additionally, film permits issued by the City of Chicago have also reached pre -pandemic levels.
"Illinois has always played a special role in the zeitgeist of American culture and as a state we're
proud to be on full display during what has become a golden age of film and television," said
Governor JB Pritzker. "The fact that we have surpassed pre-pandemic levels speaks to the
strength of our high-quality filming facilities, locations and initiatives like the Production Film
Tax credit."
In addition to film revenues statistics, which are collected by the state as part of the Illinois Film Production Tax Credit, the Chicago Film Office at the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special
Events (DCASE) recorded gains in the number of permits administered. Additionally, in 2021
Chicago Film Office launched a new "Chicago Made" initiative to strengthen Chicago's TV and
film industry — including a workforce development program and public awareness campaign
based on recommendations from the City of Chicago's COVID-19 Recovery Task Force.
"Chicago's TV and Film industry is globally renowned and continues to generate significant
economic and cultural gains for our city," said Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot. "Our
forward-thinking Chicago Film Office is building the infrastructure with initiatives such as the
‘Chicago Made' workforce program that will continue to open doors for our residents and deepen investments in our communities."
In addition to major prime-time programs such as NBC's "Chicago Fire," "Chicago Med," and
"Chicago PD" being renewed for an additional season, 2021 also brought new TV productions
like "Shining Girls" from Apple TV+ and "61st Street" from AMC Studios.
Major high-profile TV productions and movies were also filmed in Chicago suburbs and rural
areas, including HBO's critically acclaimed series, "Somebody Somewhere," which was filmed in
Lockport. Moreover, 2021 brought new studios to the greater Northeast region of Illinois, such
as Legendary Television which filmed "Paper Girls" and "Lightyears" for Amazon
Studios primarily on location outside of Chicago.
"Every tv and film project here in Illinois, brings a flurry of economic activity to our
state," said Sylvia I. Garcia, Director of the Illinois Department of Commerce
and Economic Opportunity, which houses the Illinois Film Office. "Every
production creates a multiplier effect by increasing foot traffic to local stores and
restaurants, recruiting local extras and hiring our talented crews, and then by making
our incredible Illinois landmarks well known to audiences across the globe."
By-the-Numbers: Illinois' Film Revenues & Chicago Permitting Numbers
Rise in 2021
Prior to the year 2020, the Illinois Film Office saw more than 10 consecutive years of
growth. With the onset of the pandemic and a pause in filming, 2020 experienced a dip,
with revenues reaching record highs in 2021.
| Estimated Expenditures | Estimated Wages | Estimated Hires (non-extras) |
2019 | $560 million | $350 million | 15,200 |
2020 | $362 million | $230 million | 7,800 |
2021 | $631 million | $373 million | 13,800 |
"Illinois' film industry production is breaking records, adding millions into the state's
economy each year, which is truly a great testament to our crew base, local unions and
piloting health policy precautions for the industry to return production levels back to
pre-pandemic times," said Peter Hawley, Director of the Illinois Film
Office. "This past year, we were able to expand film production outside of Chicago,
showcasing additional opportunities for commercials, film, TV and location projects, to
ensure this industry continues to succeed and grow in Illinois."
"The growth of the film and TV industry in Chicago is a direct result of the hard work,
dedication and creative thinking of the Chicago Film Office team under the leadership of
former director Kwame Amoaku," shared DCASE Commissioner Erin
Harkey. "Kwame and his team have built a solid foundation with the launch of the
‘Chicago Made' workforce development program and many other initiatives that will
accelerate the growth and economic gains of the local industry, while supporting residents in every neighborhood."
The Chicago Film Office's innovative "Chicago Made" workforce development program
aims to transform the region's TV and film workforce by offering job training and
placement to Chicago residents ages 24 to 50, primarily from underserved areas of our
city, to help meet the industry's increasing demand for skilled workers. The "Chicago
Made" public awareness campaign showcases the industry's enormous economic
impact, introduces local film workers as neighbors and friends, and highlights the
diversity of "reel" jobs available across the city. For more information,
visit chicagomade.us.
The Chicago Film Office issued 1,771 permits for projects in 2021 and ranks first in the
Midwest region for production. In 2021, the Chicago Film Office generated more than
$300,000 in permit revenue, double the permit revenue from the same months in 2019
and in 2020.
2021 Chicago Permits by genre:
PRODUCTION TOTALS | 2021 Projects | 2021 Permits |
Features | 4 | 119 |
Television | 12 | 1,331 |
Commercials | 100 | 212 |
Stills | 70 | 74 |
Other Productions | N/A | 35 |
TOTAL: | | 1,771 |
Economic Benefits for Communities in Illinois and Across Chicago
Film, TV, and media projects provide an economic impact to the state, where
communities, residents and local businesses, benefit with the money spent in the local
economy and the jobs created by their projects. Both the Illinois Film Office and Chicago
Film Office assist with supporting productions with questions about locations, permits
and tax credits.
In Lockport, the production of HBO's "Somebody Somewhere" between of the months of
May and June 2021 provided over $100,000 in fees, rentals and purchases to the
community and businesses in Lockport, including but not limited to: the City of
Lockport, Lockport Township High School, Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, Shepherd
of the Hill Lutheran Church, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Additionally, 26
Lockport residents were hired as background actors.
More about the Illinois Film Production Tax Credit and State and City
Agencies:
The Illinois Film Production Tax Credit Act, originally passed in 2008, offers a 30
percent tax credit for qualified production spending and labor expenditures. Effective
July 1, 2022, the program benefits will extend to include a capped credit for resident and
nonresident compensation under qualified expenditures, as well as the establishment of
a workforce training program. Applicants can also receive an additional 15 percent tax
credit on salaries paid to individuals (earning at least $1,000 in total wages) who live in
economically disadvantaged areas whose unemployment rate is at least 150 percent of
the State's annual average. Materials and information on the Illinois Film Office website
will be updated following the July 1 changes.
Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO)
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) supports and
maintains a climate that enables a strong economy for Illinois customers - taxpayers,
businesses, workers, and communities. For more information, visit illinois.gov/dceo.
Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE)
The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) is dedicated to
enriching Chicago's artistic vitality and cultural vibrancy. This includes fostering the
development of Chicago's non-profit arts sector, independent working artists and for-profit arts.