Despite fierce competition from rising power players like New Jersey and New Mexico, Illinois remains one of the top five production hubs in the country, boasting $725 million in production spend over the past 12 months, according to the latest ProdPro TV & Film Industry Insights Report (Q1 2025).
This comes at a critical time as states jockey for position amid what some are calling the “Golden Land Grab” of film and television production real estate. With Netflix breaking ground on its sprawling $848 million campus in Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, and Lionsgate building a 350,000-square-foot studio in Newark, the question looms large: can Illinois hold its place in the pecking order, or will the power shift permanently to the coasts?
Top U.S. Production Hubs
Why Illinois Matters
The Land of Lincoln’s production scene is anchored by major studio series such as the One Chicago franchise, The Chi, and The Bear which continues to be the crown jewel of Chicago television. With 13 Emmy nominations for Season 3—including a first-time directing nod for Ayo Edebiri—the FX/Hulu half-hour has become a cultural and critical touchstone. The success of these series and others, signals not only creative prestige but also reliable infrastructure and local talent that keep producers coming back.
The New Jersey Challenge
New Jersey has quickly gone from punchline to power player. With up to 23 soundstages coming online through the 1888 Studios project in Bayonne, a long-term tax credit program through 2039, and a prime location within 35 miles of NYC’s union radius, the Garden State is pulling talent and budgets away from traditional Midwestern centers.
And they’re not shy about it.
“Our sidewalks, alleys, and park paths feature figures from central casting, and our workforce is primed to cover every need,” Newark Mayor Ras Baraka recently told The Hollywood Reporter. It’s a full-court press—and it’s working.
New Mexico Running Neck and Neck
Meanwhile, New Mexico—long a haven for Westerns and sci-fi—is using its high desert and hefty incentives to stay just ahead of Illinois. With an annual spend of $805 million, the state is now the fourth-largest in the nation. It’s also getting a fresh boost from California productions chasing cost savings.
What is Illinois Doing to Grow its Film Industry?
We have the crews and the infrastructure. We have a governor who is fully supportive of the industry, and our track record is solid. However, the message from other states is loud and clear: continue to adapt or risk losing your standing.
The IPA and its partners championed Senate Bill 2008, an ambitious measure to expand and modernize Illinois’ Film Production Tax Credit.
The enhancements include:
- Requiring producers to withhold Illinois income tax from “loan-out” companies
- Raising the credit for resident labor and Illinois-based goods and services from 30% to 35%
- Expanding non-resident credit eligibility from 9 to 13 individuals
- Extending the sunset date to 2039
- Introducing new 5% uplifts for green-certified productions, downstate filming, and relocating productions
- Including airfare as a qualified expense when purchased from Illinois-domiciled carriers
With continued collaboration between state leaders, labor unions, and industry stakeholders, the IPA will continue to lobby for the passage of the bill during the fall veto session.
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