Illinois Film Production Tax Incentive Program Extended Through 2032

The new year opens with tremendous news for the Illinois film and television production community. The Illinois Senate and House convened after the first of the year to conclude the business of the 102nd General Assembly. On January 10th, legislation was passed extending The Illinois Film Production Tax Incentive Program until January 1, 2033. 

“This was a key initiative of the IPA and our coalition partners,” declared the Illinois Production Alliance and its Executive Director Christine Dudley in a statement. “This is big win for the industry in ensuring the stability of our Illinois program. It is also a recognition by our elected officials of the importance of the film industry to jobs and the economy.”

“Congratulations to all, we look forward to working with everyone to further advance FILM in ILLINOIS.”

The IPA announced that, in addition, the legislation included clarification language provided by the Department of Commerce/Illinois Film Office related to the administrative provisions for non residency. The Governor is expected to sign the bill this month and it will be effective immediately.  

The IPA served as the driving force in the passage of the 2002 and 2008 Film Production Tax Incentive Credit legislation and the recent expansion that became effective in July 2022 .

A copy of the newly signed bill can be found by clicking here, on pages 111-119. The underlined sections in the PDF are the new provisions amending the Act.

And if you missed the news of the July 2022 expansion, here is a quick recap. Last summer, the Illinois Film Production Tax Incentive Program was expanded to attract even more direct spending and job opportunities to the state.

Highlights of the expanded program include:

• A modest expansion to allow for a *limited number of non-resident wages to qualify for the credit
  • *Qualifying Non-resident wages are limited to, Director, Writer, Director of Photography, Production Designer, Costume Designer, Production Accountant, VFX Supervisor, Editor, Composer
• In qualified productions of $25,000,000 or less, no more than 2 non-resident actors qualify
• In qualified productions of more than $25,000,000, no more than 4 non-resident actors qualify
• $500,000 cap on each qualified resident and non-resident wages
• Creates the Illinois Production Workforce Development Fund which is funded entirely by the qualified productions, to allow the Department of Commerce and Economic Development make grants to qualified organizations that provide film production workforce training programs. 50% of the grant funds must be allocated to minority owned organizations, or educational/training programs whose participants represent a minimum of 50% minorities.

You can click here for more about the tax incentive program.

Click here for more about the tireless efforts of the Illinois Production Alliance and its coalition partners.

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