The Illinois Production Alliance (IPA), the state’s leading voice for the film, commercial, and television production industry, announced the election of IATSE Local 476 Business Manager and Secretary-Treasurer Tony Barracca as President of the Board of Directors, and Cinespace Studios, Director of Industry and Community Affairs Michael Scott, Jr., as Vice President.
Barracca succeeds Eric Chaudron, who led the IPA through the COVID-19 pandemic, an historic tax credit expansion in 2022, and a period of significant growth for Illinois production. Chaudron, who serves as Executive Director of SAG-AFTRA Chicago, will remain on the Board.
Joining Barracca and Scott on the Board are two new members: Bob Reiter, President of the Chicago Federation of Labor; and Brett Burns, Vice President, Operations and Sales of Manhattan Beach Studios (MBS). Mark Androw, Executive Producer and partner at STORY and Accomplice Media, was re-elected to another term as Treasurer.
Their appointment comes on the heels of a legislative session where IPA and its partners championed Senate Bill 2008, an ambitious measure to expand and modernize Illinois’ Film Production Tax Credit. While the bill passed the House overwhelmingly, it did not receive a final vote in the Senate before the adjournment of the spring session.
“We’re building momentum,” said Tony Barracca, newly-elected President of the Board of Directors for the Illinois Production Alliance. “This bill made it to the brink of passage thanks to a significant effort from lawmakers, local vendors, rank and file labor, studios, union and business leaders. Our coalition isn’t going anywhere.”
While Illinois is already a top-tier production center with 70 sound stages, two million square feet of studio space, and thousands of skilled crew, the bill proposed several enhancements aimed at making Illinois more competitive with other major domestic production hubs. The enhancements include:
- 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
- Requiring producers to withhold Illinois income tax from “loan-out” companies
“Illinois continues to lead the way in film and television production due to our talented and diverse workforce, expansive infrastructure, and second-to-none locations,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “In 2024, we saw more than $653 million in production spending and over 18,000 quality jobs created. The return on our investment is undeniable, and there’s even greater potential ahead. I look forward to working with the Illinois Production Alliance, the General Assembly, and our industry partners to expand opportunity further and strengthen Illinois’ position as a global production hub.”
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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