State Resources


Illinois Business Resources

A large influx of settlers to Illinois in the 19th century led to the cultivation of the prairie lands across the state, and agriculture began to expand quickly with focus in the Chicago area. Services, finance, and manufacturing have since become leading economic activities in Illinois. Even with the strength of other industries, agriculture remains a vital industry as Illinois ranks in the top five most productive farming states in the nation.

Today, the Chicago metropolitan area accounts for two-thirds of the population in Illinois. As the third largest city in the United States, Chicago is also recognized as a commercial and industrial center, serving as host to the world’s first and largest derivatives exchange market (Chicago Mercantile Exchange). The city is also a leading cultural center in North America, featuring world-renowned museums and libraries.

Business Data

Per Capita Real GDP$39,514 Rank: 13/50 (2006)
Population12,419,300 Rank: 5/50 (2000)
Per Capita Personal Income$38,215 Rank: 13/50 (2006)
Unemployment Rate5.60% Rank: 43/50 (2008)
Business Tax Climate IndexRank: 28/50 (2008)
Corporate Tax Rate7.3%
Individual Tax Rate 3%
Sales Tax Rate 6.25%

Business Tax Climate Index

Individual Income Tax Index Rank12
Sales Tax Index Rank32
Unemployment Insurance Tax Index Rank42
Property Tax Index Rank40
Business Tax Climate Index28
Corporate Tax Index Rank29

State Information

AbbreviationIL
CapitalSpringfield
Nick NamePrairie State
State Web Sitehttp://www.illinois.gov
MottoState sovereignty, national union

Top 5 Export Partner Countries

Canada, Mexico, United Kingdom, Japan, Australia

Top 5 Export Merchandise

Machinery Sales Chemicals Sales Primary Metals Manufacturing Chemicals Manufacturing Transportation Equipment Manufacturing

Major Cities

Aurora, Chicago, Rockford

GDP

Total Gross Domestic Product (USD Millions) $609,570.00 (2007)
Per Capita Real GDP (USD)$39,568.00 Rank: 16 (2007)

Population Stats

Population 12,901,563 Rank: 5 (2008)

Age Distribution

Under 18 Population3,245,450
Under 18 Percent of Total Population26%
65 and older Population1,500,030
65 and older Percent of Total Population12%

Gender Distribution

Male Population49%
Female Population51%
Non-English Speaker (at home)1,760,060
Net International Immigration328,020
Birth Rate14.2%
Percent of People Under Poverty Level12%
Rank28

Expenditure

Per Capita State Spending$47,823
Rank46
Energy Expenditures per Person$3,391
Expenditures of State and Local Government Employee-Retirement Systems$8,858,217

Revenue

Personal Income$41,580
Rank13
State Internal Revenue Collection$135,458,089
Rank5
Cash and Deposits by State Government$3,318,530
Per Capita State Tax Collection$2,206
Rank31

Education

High School Graduation Rate75%
Rank19
Percent of Population with a Bachelor's Degree18.2%
Rank18
Percent of Population with an Advanced Degree10.8%
Rank11

Largest Universities

Northern Illinois University University of Illinois, Chicago University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
High School Graduation Rate75%

Logistics

Public Road Length (Mile)138,997
Gas Tax Rate (%)19%
Highway Planning and Construction (USD Thousands)1,140,222
Number of Public Airports115

Main Airports

ORD: Chicago PIA: Peoria RFD Chicago/Rockford International

Ports

Chicago St.Louis

Weather


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State Business Links

Chicago Tribune
http://www.chicagotribune.com

Secretary of State

Illinois Secretary of State
http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/business_services/home.html
The department of Business Services is a centralized repository for business filings in six areas.

Small Business Administration

Illinois Small Business Administration
http://www.sba.gov/localresources/district/il/index.html
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) was created in 1953 as an independent agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation. We recognize that small business is critical to our economic recovery and strength, to building America's future, and to helping the United States compete in today's global marketplace. Although SBA has grown and evolved in the years since it was established in 1953, the bottom line mission remains the same.

Top 10 Business Links

Illinois Business Journal
http://www.ibjonline.com/
The Illinois Business Journal online features some of the Illinois-related business articles available in the print edition. Extensive archives of previous articles are provided.
Illinois Business Law Journal
http://www.iblsjournal.typepad.com/
This is a publication of the University of Illinois College of Law. It features business law articles in a variety of different categories, such as bankruptcy, mergers and acquisitions, or international business.
Illinois Data
http://www.illinoisdata.com/
This site features a data library with a wealth of different kinds of statistics, such as labor market, business, housing, or taxes. The data is sorted by county; most statistics are provided in HTML format, though some must be viewed with PDF or XLS.
Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
http://www.commerce.state.il.us/dceo/
Through the DCEO, in addition to various Illinois facts & figures, users can gain access different kinds of business assistance and guides, often industry or business phase specific, as well as information and updates on workforce and community development.
Illinois International Business Calendar
http://www.itagc.org/calendar.asp
This page provides a list of upcoming international business conferences and other events for Illinois.
Illinois Small Business Development Center
http://www.wiusbdc.org/
Supported by Western Illinois University, this center provides various business workshops, a business library, and some business services. Services include businesses counseling, innovations and technology transfer, and management and workforce training. A modes fee may be required.
Illinois Statistics
http://www.library.uiuc.edu/
This site gathers Illinois statistics from a variety of sources and compiles them here by subject and agency.
Illinois Trade Association
http://www.imsbarter.com
The ITA is an association in which members engage in barter transactions for goods and services to reduce cash expenses. A “trade dollars” system is used to keep track when members buy or sell goods or services to other members.