Gov. JB Pritzker visited Flyover Film Studios this week to showcase the growing economic impact of film and television production in Central Illinois and reinforce Illinois’ broader strategy to strengthen its creative economy.
Pritzker said that “Champaign County is at the forefront of our state’s expanding entertainment industry, one that continues to spur innovation, creativity, and positive economic impacts.” He credited local studios like Flyover Film Studios with helping make Illinois “a premier destination for film production” and invited filmmakers of all kinds to bring their work to the state.
In 2025, film production activity in Champaign, Ford, and Piatt counties generated roughly $12.3 million in economic activity. The spending supported local hotels, catering services, transportation providers, equipment vendors, and post-production services while contributing millions to Illinois’ gross domestic product and local wages.
Operating on the former Chanute Air Force Base, Flyover Film Studios has transformed its campus into a versatile production hub with sound stages, standing sets, and flexible production spaces. Its contributions to the local economy were recognized with a 2025 Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year award.
Pritzker highlighted state support for the industry, including the Illinois Soundstage Program, which awarded Flyover Film Studios a $1.1 million grant in 2024, and tuition-free workforce training programs that have achieved a 100 percent job placement rate for graduates working on independent films in the region.
He also pointed to enhancements to the state’s Film Production Tax Credit, a key policy aimed at attracting productions and supporting local labor and investment.
The Governor connected the progress in Central Illinois to broader statewide growth. Illinois film production expenditures reached $653 million in 2024, the second-highest total in state history, and Chicago recently ranked as one of the top cities in the nation for film professionals, reflecting the state’s strengthened industry profile.
Pritzker’s visit underscored his administration’s commitment to expanding production opportunities across Illinois, supporting local businesses and workforce development, and encouraging storytelling that brings investment and jobs to communities throughout the state.
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