Illinois is taking a major step toward sustainable production, unveiling a new “green” tax credit designed to encourage environmentally responsible filmmaking across movies and television.
The initiative introduces a five percent uplift for productions that meet specific sustainability standards, bringing the state’s total potential tax incentive to 45 percent of eligible spend. It marks the first program of its kind in the U.S., positioning Illinois at the forefront of eco-conscious production policy.
The move comes as production activity in the state continues to climb. Illinois reached a record $703 million in production expenditures in 2025, fueled in part by high-profile series including The Bear, which films exterior scenes at the Original Mr. Beef in River North.
To qualify for the additional incentive, productions must partner with an approved sustainability vendor and coordinate an on-set visit from the Illinois Film Office. Requirements include completing a sustainability scorecard and a carbon impact report within 30 days of wrapping.
Qualifying practices range from reducing on-set waste and emissions to implementing efficient transportation, sustainable materials, and responsible catering operations.
“The thing about the film industry that’s always bothered me is the waste,” Illinois Film Office deputy director Peter Hawley told The Hollywood Reporter. “Food waste. Paper and plastic waste. Fuel waste. It’s always been a problem.”
While adopting these practices may increase production costs by an estimated one to three percent, the added five percent incentive is designed to more than offset those expenses.
“Illinois is a prime destination for film and television productions, and we’re proud to be the first state in the nation to incentivize sustainability in the industry,” said JB Pritzker in a statement. “Illinois is leading the way toward a greener future — one that promotes economic opportunity and environmentally sustainable productions at the same time.”
With the new uplift in place, Illinois is not just competing for production dollars, it’s aiming to redefine how those dollars are spent.
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