The State of Business

The Illinois EDC Economic Research Center’s 2026 State of Business Report reviews the state’s economy and places Illinois’ performance in national and regional context over the past year. Drawing on federal, state, and private-sector data, the report examines 16 key metrics and finds that Illinois’ economy remained broadly aligned with U.S. performance in 2025 while demonstrating several areas of relative strength. Business establishments grew during 2025, and Illinois-based employers outperformed U.S. hiring trends. Growth across the state’s focus industries, alongside sustained entrepreneurship and investment activity, reflects a diverse and active economic base. These trends indicate that Illinois enters 2026 with solid fundamentals and expanding opportunities tied to innovation, investment, and technology adoption