Most sought after backdrops, architecture and scenery for film and TV

Chicago offers incredible diversity in terms of people and scenery. With a Great Lake (Lake Michigan), 5 major sports teams (Chicago Cubs, White Sox, Bulls, Black Hawks, Bears), multiple ethnic epicenters (Chinatown, Koreatown, Greek Town, India Town, etc.), several neighborhoods each with their own architecture and feel, and the surrounding suburbs representing every socioeconomic class, all easily accessible via major expressways, there are nearly limitless environments that can be filmed and represented. From a variety of architecture to beaches and sports arenas, Chicago locations provide great authenticity for a large variety of projects.

Wealth of talent and crew

With a labor pool of over four million spread across all major occupational groups, Chicago has the depth and variety of talent to meet the needs of any business or industry. Chicago area businesses tap into an extremely well educated, diverse and skilled labor force. Over 33 percent of Chicago’s population has received a bachelor’s degree or higher, well above the state and national averages. Chicago’s educated labor force has played a key role in driving wage growth with per capita income currently 12 percent above the national average.

Chicago has been steadily growing its entertainment reputation and is the one of the most populous cities in the nation. Film production in 2019 brought an estimated $560 million into Chicago, thanks to job creation and local expenditures, a 15% increase from 2018. According to the Otis Report on the Creative Economy, Chicago is home to the third largest number of creative workers of any metropolitan area in the country, with 133,800 people employed within the sector.

Chicago entertainment industry – 2019

According to a February 28, 2020 report from the CFO, the amount spent on production in the city has grown from $150 million to $560 million over the past seven years. The total for 2019 was $86 million higher than 2018. The activity reflects a healthy mix of genres, including studio features, indie features, television, commercials, stills, and other production.

According to 2019 estimates jointly released by the state and the City of Chicago, $560 million was spent on cast and crew wages as well as other related expenditures, compared with $474 million in 2018. Shows like Comedy Central’s “South Side” employed close to 20,000 people who earned over $350 million in wages are indicative of the growing industry in Chicago. The city and Chicago Film Office (CFO) reported over 522 projects shot in 2019 with a commitment from the state to extend the film tax credit for 7 more years to keep the momentum going.

“Chicago Fire,” “Chicago P.D.”, and “Chicago Med” continue to be the bedrock of the local filming industry, shooting 10 months out of the year and employing large crews. “Chicago Fire” has been around the longest and is midway through its eighth season. Additional projects include “Empire” on Fox (now in its final season), “The Chi”, “Work in Progress” on Showtime, the recently canceled Jenna Dewan musical drama series “Soundtrack” on Netflix (originally called “Mixtape” when it filmed in Chicago), “Utopia,” the forthcoming Amazon series from “Gone Girl” author Gillian Flynn, “Fargo” (which premieres in the spring and stars Chris Rock), “Shameless,” which films exteriors locally two weeks out of every season, CW’s “Batwoman”, “Pearson”, the new HBO series “Run” from executive producer Phoebe Waller-Bridge and premiering in April, and “South Side”, which filmed its first season in 2018, are all notables in the growing list of series shot in Chicago.

Feature films include “The Trial of the Chicago 7”, the “Candyman” sequel from director Nia DaCosta and producer Jordan Peele, and the rom-com “The Thing About Harry,” which aired earlier this month on the TV network Freeform are all Chicago based as well.

Economic advantage – tax credits

The Illinois Film Production Services Tax Credit Act of 2008 created an incentive program through fiscal year 2026 and is already slated for legislative renewal at 5-year increments, thereafter. The generous production incentive program offers producers a credit of 30% on all qualified expenditures, including post-production. Aimed at retaining and attracting production jobs and stimulating economic activity across the state, tax credits have been made available each year under the program.

Tax Credit Benefits

  • 30% of the qualified Illinois Production Spending
  • 30% credit on Illinois salaries up to $200,000 per worker
  • Tax credit can be carried forward 5 years from when originally issued by Illinois Film Office/Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
  • The Illinois Film Tax Credit is currently scheduled for legislative renewal in 2026
  • 15% additional credit- applicants will receive an additional 15% tax credit on salaries of individuals (making at least $1,000 in total wages) who live in economically disadvantaged areas whose unemployment rate is at least 150% of the State’s annual average

Diversity

Chicago ranks high on the list as the 13th most diverse city in the U.S. The Windy City also ranked 39th in the “Cultural Diversity” category. There is still work to be done in the economic realm, according to the report conducted by WalletHub. Chicago ranked 268th in “Economic Diversity” and 262nd in “Household Diversity.”