A long time center for manufacturing

As the world shifts towards advanced manufacturing, Illinois is well-positioned to continue to lead due to its talent and workforce, ecosystem of manufacturers and tremendous infrastructure.

Wind mills

Advanced Manufacturing

Talent & Workforce

The state is home to an unmatched manufacturing workforce and renowned universities and community colleges that train a talent pipeline for the advanced manufacturing jobs of the future. More than 23,000 students graduate with manufacturing or manufacturing-related degrees each year. Illinois' community colleges alone yield over 3,531 students from 371 programs with manufacturing degrees and certificates.

Ecosystem

Illinois also offers a tremendous ecosystem of organizations committed to advancing manufacturing including Illinois Manufacturers’ Association, Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center, mHUB and MxD, coupled with some of the largest manufacturing companies in the world such as John Deere and Continental Tires.

Infrastructure

Within industries from agribusiness to EVs, companies choose to manufacture in Illinois because of unique access to the world via rail, road, port and air and the unmatched infrastructure that supports each method of connecting. Combine that with a supportive government, low energy rates and deregulation, as well as a low-cost, high-quality water supply and you’ll see there is no better place to manufacture than in Illinois.

Two Heavy Industry Engineers Stand in Pipe Manufacturing Factory, Use Digital Tablet Computer, Have Discussion. Construction of Oil, Gas and Fuels Transport Pipeline. Back View Sparks Flying

Notable Illinois Businesses

Notable Illinois Businesses

Top Illinois manufacturing employers include:

  • Caterpillar
  • Schneider Electric
  • Continental Automotive
  • Clark Filter Inc.
  • Atkore

Source: DnB Hoovers

Key Data

  • 265K advanced manufacturing jobs (2022)*
  • 8,237 advanced manufacturing businesses (2022)*
  • Contributed $46.146B in economic output in 2022
  • 14% higher job concentration than the national average
  • Ranks 6th in number of advanced manufacturing jobs nationwide (EMSI, 2021)

*Source: Purdue Manufacturing Supercluster

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