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A total of $10 million in taxpayer funded grant money is going
to film studio infrastructure projects through the Illinois
Soundstage Program.
The Fields Studios ($5 million) located in Chicago, Fresh Films
($3.8 million) in Rock Island, and Flyover Studios ($1.1
million) in Champaign have all been awarded funding through this
program.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Illinois has seen growth in the film
industry due to the Illinois Film Production Tax Credit, a 30%
tax credit on qualified expenditures, including production
spending and salaries.
“Illinoisans are benefiting mightily from the growth of our TV
and film production industry,” Pritzker said. “On average,
Illinois receives about $7 in return for every dollar we invest
in our tax credit.”
The Field Studios is a massive facility that boasts nine sound
stages on two lots totaling 132,000 square feet of sound stages
and over 350,000 square feet of creative and production offices,
plus mill and support space on Chicago’s Northwest side.
Flyover Studios will be building production stages in what was
formerly known as Hanger One on the Chanute Air Force Base
property.
Fresh Films plans to build a new $12 million production studio
and sound stages in Rock Island County.
The Illinois Soundstage Capital Grant Program funding
opportunity was made available to nonprofit organizations,
education organizations and for-profit organizations throughout
the state through a competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity.
“This funding will not only help expand the film industry across
the state, but it will also bolster revenue for our local
economies and help provide job opportunities for Illinoisans
seeking a long career in the film industry,” said Kristen
Richards, director of the Department of Commerce and Economic
Opportunity.
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