(The Center Square) – Three TV and film production projects will be receiving grant money to promote the industry in Illinois.
A total of $10 million in taxpayer funded grant money is going to film studio infrastructure projects through the Illinois Soundstage Program.
The Fields Studios ($5 million) located in Chicago, Fresh Films ($3.8 million) in Rock Island, and Flyover Studios ($1.1 million) in Champaign have all been awarded funding through this program.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Illinois has seen growth in the film industry due to the Illinois Film Production Tax Credit, a 30% tax credit on qualified expenditures, including production spending and salaries.
“Illinoisans are benefiting mightily from the growth of our TV and film production industry,” Pritzker said. “On average, Illinois receives about $7 in return for every dollar we invest in our tax credit.”
The Field Studios is a massive facility that boasts nine sound stages on two lots totaling 132,000 square feet of sound stages and over 350,000 square feet of creative and production offices, plus mill and support space on Chicago’s Northwest side.
Flyover Studios will be building production stages in what was formerly known as Hanger One on the Chanute Air Force Base property.
Fresh Films plans to build a new $12 million production studio and sound stages in Rock Island County.
The Illinois Soundstage Capital Grant Program funding opportunity was made available to nonprofit organizations, education organizations and for-profit organizations throughout the state through a competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity.
“This funding will not only help expand the film industry across the state, but it will also bolster revenue for our local economies and help provide job opportunities for Illinoisans seeking a long career in the film industry,” said Kristen Richards, director of the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.
