CHICAGO, IL – Today, Intersect Illinois, the state’s business development arm, announced its relaunch as the Illinois Economic Development Corporation—an evolution that comes as the Illinois EDC announced it recorded 701 business expansions or relocations in the state, an increase of 59% over the previous fiscal year. These projects generated $25.8 billion in new investment (up 107% since FY24) and created nearly 19,000 new jobs (a 47% year-over-year increase) from July 2024 through June 2025.
Under the leadership of Governor Pritzker, Illinois EDC has sharpened its focus and expanded its priorities — from transforming its leadership and strengthening its board of directors to growing its Vetted Sites program and deepening expertise across key industries. Together, these changes create a powerful opportunity to reintroduce both the organization and Illinois as a global leader in economic development.
“As Illinois continues to attract businesses and create jobs and economic opportunity in every corner of the state, the launch of the Illinois Economic Development Corporation marks the next chapter in telling the Illinois story to the world,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Illinois continues to prove that our unmatched workforce, infrastructure, and innovation ecosystem is making it the best state in the nation to do business. Team Illinois continues to deliver, and together, we’ll keep building on this momentum to create even more opportunities for families and communities across our state.”
Illinois EDC also released its Fiscal Year 2025 Annual Report, highlighting its contributions to the state’s economic momentum, including initiating 120+ business development projects, project wins that generated $3 billion in new capital investment to the state, 340+ research projects, and the expansion of the Vetted Sites Program, which grew by double digits and continues to strengthen Illinois’ inventory of more than 1,700 development-ready sites across the state.
“Illinois is on the cusp of extraordinary growth, and Illinois EDC is proud to help lead the charge,” said Christy George, Illinois EDC President and CEO. “I’m deeply grateful to our staff and Team Illinois partners whose dedication powers this progress. Together, we are strengthening site readiness, advancing our key industries, and positioning Illinois as one of the most dynamic and competitive business destinations in the world.”
“Illinois continues to build on a strong foundation of talent, infrastructure, and innovation, and the successes we have had this past year reflect that momentum,” said Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Director Kristin Richards. “Through ongoing collaboration with our Team Illinois partners, we’re creating the conditions for long-term business growth and economic opportunity in every corner of the state. The progress we’re seeing today is the result of strategic investment, strong partnerships, and a shared commitment to delivering impact for all of Illinois’ communities.”
“Fiscal Year 2025 was a defining year for Illinois, highlighted by historic wins in quantum computing – from PsiQuantum’s investment to the establishment of the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park, National Quantum Algorithm Center, DARPA, and IBM,” said John Atkinson, Board Chairman of Illinois EDC. “Illinois EDC embodies our sharper strategy and bold vision to make Illinois a premier destination for business and innovation.”
Additional features of the report include project industry breakdowns, new business attraction initiatives led by Illinois EDC, continued investment in community partnerships, events, outreach, and more. Key takeaways include:
- Expanding capacity: Illinois EDC added team depth in key strategic areas, such as site readiness, clean energy, life sciences, research, data centers, and quantum computing technology, including Dr. Preeti Chalsani as the state’s first ever Chief Quantum Officer.
- Project industries: Illinois continues to attract companies in priority industries identified in the State’s Five-Year Open for Business plan, with advanced manufacturing and clean energy leading project activity for Illinois EDC in FY25.
- Building connections: To strengthen relationships with global site location decision-makers, Illinois EDC played leading roles in high-profile events including the SelectUSA Investment Summit, the country’s top foreign direct investment (FDI) event, and a site selector symposium. The organization also facilitated two international trade delegations to tell the “Why Illinois” story, presented at the convening of the Americas Competitiveness Exchange and the Quantum Korea conference, and hosted engagements with leaders from Canada, Japan and Mexico.
- Doubling down on site readiness: Bolstering the State’s historic $500M investment in site readiness efforts, Illinois EDC created a dedicated Site Readiness Team and nearly doubled its portfolio of Vetted Sites to 70 across the state, strengthening its real estate database of over 1,700 properties.
“Intersect Illinois has been a big part of our state’s ongoing economic turnaround,” said Senate President Don Harmon, an Oak Park Democrat. “I’ve been impressed with the work done to bring jobs and investments to Illinois, and we all look forward to what this re-energized team will accomplish for our future.”
“Illinois stands on the precipice of great economic opportunity. Manufacturing, quantum computing, clean energy production, and the small- and medium-sized businesses that grow alongside these innovators are building a dynamic 21st Century economy right here in our state,” said House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch. “Intersect Illinois has driven the partnerships that have brought us to where we are today, and the Illinois Economic Development Corporation will take that work to an exciting and prosperous new level.”
Learn more about our relaunch and the story behind our new logo — a modern silhouette of Illinois that reflects momentum, unity, and progress while nodding to Illinois’ diverse regions — by visiting our website.
In the year ahead, Illinois EDC will continue to collaborate with Team Illinois to attract economic growth and jobs that benefit communities throughout the state. Read the full annual report here.
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