The Illinois Economic Development Corporation (Illinois EDC) reports that Illinois has secured the No. 2 position nationally for corporate relocation and expansion projects, based on rankings from the economic development trade publication Site Selection. According to Illinois EDC, the state continues to attract companies that are either moving operations to Illinois or expanding their existing footprint.
Illinois EDC President and CEO Christy George noted that the organization has observed a surge in companies expressing interest in relocating to or growing within Illinois. She attributed this interest to several core advantages that the state can offer businesses, including a prime central location, extensive infrastructure, a balanced and resilient economy, and a diverse and skilled talent base. George described these characteristics as closely aligned with what companies seek when evaluating where they can position themselves for long-term success.
This marks the fourth consecutive year that Illinois has ranked second in Site Selection’s assessment of corporate relocation and expansion activity. In total, 680 Illinois projects qualified for inclusion in the ranking, underscoring the depth of corporate investment taking place across the state. The Chicago metropolitan area also continues to perform strongly in these evaluations, recording its 13th year as a top metro for such projects.
Recent corporate moves into Illinois cited by Illinois EDC include Pure Lithium, Damera Corporation, and Epic Pharma Solutions Inc., all of which are identified as new companies coming to the state. These arrivals add to the broader base of corporate activity that supports the state’s standing in national expansion and relocation rankings.
Illinois’ emerging position in the field of quantum-related activity is another factor drawing attention. New tenants have agreed to join the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park on Chicago’s South Side, reflecting interest in the state’s growing quantum ecosystem. Confirmed tenants at the park include Diraq, Infleqtion, Pasqal, and Silicon Catalyst. Their commitments highlight a concentration of quantum and microelectronics players within the Chicago area, aligning with Illinois’ broader push to capitalize on its strengths in advanced technology and innovation.
Taken together, the sustained No. 2 national ranking, the large count of qualifying projects, and the clustering of both manufacturing and advanced technology firms illustrate the level of corporate investment currently targeting Illinois and, in particular, the Chicago region.
