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During a House Museum, Arts, Culture and Entertainment Committee
hearing, Christine Dudley, executive director of the Illinois
Production Alliance, said the Illinois Film Production Tax
Credit is paying dividends.
“For every one dollar issued in credits, the return on
investment to the state is $6.81,” said Dudley. “It really is
one of the most successful programs that the state has offered
and the return on investment is unequaled.”
The Illinois Film Production Tax Credit provides a 30% tax
credit on qualified expenditures, including production spending,
salaries and an additional 15% on salaries for people who live
in economically disadvantaged areas.
In 2022, the state launched the Film and TV Workforce Training
Program, which is designed to increase diversity in Illinois'
film industry.
Dudley said the Land of Lincoln has a rich history of TV and
film production.
“From the days of silent movies at Essanay Studios, to the
explosion of TV advertising in the 50s with Tony the Tiger and
the Jolly Green Giant, to the era of John Hughes, the Blues
Brothers, The Fugitive, Barbershop and Batman,” said Dudley.
Essanay is probably best known today for its series of Charlie
Chaplin comedies produced in 1915-1916.
Independent films made in Illinois are getting noticed.
“Ghostlight” premiered on opening night of the Sundance Film
Festival in 2024.
"It's really hard to find financing for movies in the current
environment,” said Eddie Linker, producer of the film. “The
ability to use the Illinois Tax Credit at almost any budget
level is often the difference between making a movie or hoping
to make a movie."
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