The new law boosts the tax credit for businesses hiring formerly incarcerated individuals from 5% to 15% of qualified wages, increasing the maximum credit from $1,500 to $7,500. These funds can be used for workforce transition and on-the-job training, supporting the Illinois economy by reducing reincarceration costs and generating long-term revenue through taxes. Stably employed individuals returning from incarceration have a 62% lower risk of recidivism, enhancing public safety. The General Assembly has allocated $1,000,000 to this program, so small businesses should act now to supplement their workforce. Stay tuned for updates on how to apply for the tax credit!

Illinois has taken a significant step forward with the passage of HB4951, becoming the 12th state in the nation to implement a Child Tax Credit. This new measure offers crucial tax relief to working families with low to moderate incomes, particularly those with young children. Starting in 2024, taxpayers who qualify for the Illinois Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and have at least one child under 12 will be eligible for a Child Tax Credit worth 20% of their EITC. This amount will increase to 40% for the 2025 tax year and beyond, providing ongoing support to help offset the high costs of raising children.

The Illinois Angel Investment Tax Credit Program encourages investment in innovative, early-stage companies to help obtain the working capital needed to further the growth of their company in Illinois. Investors in companies that are certified as Qualified New Business Ventures (QNBVs) can receive a state tax credit equal to 25% of their investment (up to $2 million).

Learn more about the Illinois Angel Investment Tax Credit Program HERE.

The data center’s investment program provides owners and operators with exemptions from a variety of state and local taxes for qualifying Illinois data centers. The program also provides data center owners and operators with a tax credit of 20% of wages paid for construction workers for projects located in underserved areas.

Learn more about the Data Centers Investment Program HERE.

The Illinois Enterprise Zone Program is designed to stimulate economic growth and neighborhood revitalization in economically depressed areas of the state through state and local tax incentives, regulatory relief, and improved governmental services. Businesses located or expanding in an Illinois enterprise zone may be eligible for the following state and local tax incentives.

Learn more about the Illinois Enterprise Zone Program HERE.

The River Edge Redevelopment Zone Program (RERZ) helps revive and redevelop environmentally challenged properties adjacent to rivers in Illinois.  The River Edge Redevelopment Zone Act authorizes the Illinois Department of Commerce to designate zones in five cities: Aurora, East St. Louis, Elgin, Peoria, and Rockford.

RERZ provides several incentives authorized by State law. Two of these – sales tax exemption and property tax abatement (if offered in the zone) – are administered by the local zone administrators. The others involve tax incentives that are claimed on your Illinois Income Tax filing forms.

Learn more about the River Edge Redevelopment Zone HERE.

Illinois’ EDGE program provides annual corporate tax credits to qualifying businesses which support job creation, and capital investment and improve the standard of living for all Illinois residents. Initial qualification criteria require certain job creation and project investment.

Learn more about the Economic Development for a Growing Economy Tax Credit Program (EDGE) HERE.

This program supports large-scale economic development activities by providing tax incentives (similar to Enterprise Zones) to companies that make substantial capital investments in operations and create or retain an above-average number of jobs. Businesses may qualify for: investment tax credits, potential High Impact Business construction jobs credit, a state sales tax exemption on building materials and/or utilities, a state sales tax exemption on purchases of personal property used or consumed in the manufacturing process or in the operation of a pollution control facility.

Learn more about the High Impact Business Program (HIB) HERE.

Created as part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Acts of 2017, Opportunity Zones provide an incentive for investors to invest in Opportunity Zones for a temporary tax deferral. Opportunity Zones are areas in Illinois that need investment to help create jobs and investment in areas that need it most. Opportunity Zones were created in 2018 through an analysis that included poverty rates, unemployment rates, the total number of children in poverty, violent crime rate, and population.

Learn more about the Illinois Opportunity Zones HERE.

The Business Attraction Prime Sites Capital Grant Program assists companies with large-scale capital investment projects that commit to significant job creation for Illinois residents as they relocate or expand operations within Illinois. Prime Sites grants can encompass a wide range of economic development projects that will result in job creation in the state of Illinois.

Award amounts for eligible projects will be formula-based, and an applicant may apply for a grant of up to $10,000 per new job created. Grants will range from $250,000 to $25 million. This grant opportunity also includes a 4:1 match requirement, meaning grant funds can only cover 20% of the total eligible capital expenses for the proposed project.

Learn more about the Business Attraction Prime Sites Capital Grant Program HERE.

Employers are allowed a tax credit for qualified educational expenses associated with qualifying apprentices. Employers may receive a credit of up to $3,500 per apprentice against the taxes imposed by subsections (a) and (b) of Section 201 of the Illinois Income Tax Act, and an additional credit of up to $1,500 for each apprentice if (1) the apprentice resides in an underserved area or (2) the employer's principal place of business is located in an underserved area.

Learn more about the Illinois Apprenticeship Education Expense Tax Credit Program HERE.

WOTC (Work Opportunity Tax Credit) is a federal tax credit available to employers who hire and retain veterans and/or individuals from other target groups with significant barriers to employment. Employers claim about $1 billion in tax credits each year under the WOTC program.

What Workers can Employers Claim WOTC for?

• Veterans
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Recipients
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients (also known as SNAP or food stamps)
• Designated Community Residents (living in Empowerment Zones or Rural Renewal Counties)
• Vocational Rehabilitation Referral
• Ex-felons
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Recipients
• Summer Youth Employee (living in Empowerment Zones)
• Long Term Unemployed (LTUR)

Learn more about the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) HERE.

Provide businesses with sustainable, no-cost, and low-cost strategies to recruit, train, and retain the skilled workforce needed to thrive. Your partnership with DRS gives you access to our qualified vocational rehabilitation professionals. DRS provides job analysis, job coaches, training, and job accommodations/technical assistance.

There are several financial incentives that are available to businesses that hire individuals with disabilities. DRS can help you take advantage of these:

• On the Job Evaluations (OJE) are wages reimbursed to the employer for evaluating if an individual with a disability can perform the duties of a certain job.
• On the Job Training (OJT) reimburses an employer a negotiated wage if an individual with a disability that they hire needs certain kinds of training.
• Work Opportunity Tax Credits (WOTC) provides a tax credit for employers who hire certain targeted low-income groups, including vocational rehabilitation candidates and Social Security Administration (SSI/SSDI) recipients.

Learn more about DRS Employment Services HERE.

The River Edge Historic Tax Credit Program offers a 25% state income tax credit for qualified expenditures on certified historic structures within River Edge Redevelopment Zones (Aurora, East St. Louis, Elgin, Peoria & Rockford). This initiative, extended until December 31, 2021, aims to boost Illinois' economy by creating jobs through substantial rehabilitation projects. Recent changes in the Historic Preservation Tax Credit Act have transferred program administration to the Department of Natural Resources since January 1, 2019, fostering the revitalization of historic structures and neighborhoods.

Learn more about the Illinois Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program HERE.

Discover Illinois as a premier hub for film, TV, and advertising production! Explore diverse locations, from Chicago's skyline to historic neighborhoods. With stunning landscapes and a thriving industry, Illinois provides a 30% Film Tax Credit, making it a top choice for filmmakers and creatives.

Learn more about the Film Production Tax Credit HERE.

The REV Illinois Act is a competitive incentives program aimed at boosting clean jobs in Illinois by attracting companies in the electric vehicle and renewables sectors. It supports the state's climate change goals, including achieving 100% clean energy by 2050 and putting one million EVs on the road by 2030. The program offers incentives for manufacturing electric vehicles, batteries, charging infrastructure, recycling products, and renewables like solar, wind, and energy storage. Benefits range from twenty to thirty years, including tax incentives, training credits, grants, and equipment/capital cost exemptions.

Learn more about the Reimagining Energy and Vehicles (REV) Illinois Program HERE.

The Business Attraction Prime Sites Capital Grant Program in Illinois supports companies undertaking significant capital investment projects that commit to creating jobs for residents within the state. Eligible projects range from new construction to renovation of industrial and commercial facilities, excluding warehouses. Grants, ranging from $250,000 to $25 million, are formula-based with a maximum of $10,000 per new job created. There's a 4:1 match requirement, limiting grant funds to cover only 20% of the total eligible capital expenses for the project.

Learn more about the Business Attraction Prime Sites Capital Program HERE.

Discover the benefits of WOTC (Work Opportunity Tax Credit) – a federal program offering employers tax credits of up to $1 billion annually for hiring and retaining veterans and individuals facing employment barriers. The credit amount varies based on factors like the hired individual's target group, first-year wages, and hours worked, with a maximum limit on the tax credit. Take advantage of this opportunity to support diverse hiring and boost your business.

Learn more about the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) HERE.

Illinois is launching the Advantage Illinois – SSBCI 2.0 Program with $220 million to aid small businesses. The initiative prioritizes equitable support, utilizing outreach partners to engage historically marginalized groups like Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Individuals (SEDI) and Very Small Businesses. The program, guided by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, aims to address barriers these groups face in accessing capital.

Advantage Illinois under SSBCI 2.0 will offer two programs and must result in job creation or retention at the project location.

1. Participation Loan Program (PLP) (presentation) – helps Illinois businesses get term loan financing at lower rates by purchasing a portion of the loan and lowering the risk for the lenders.
2. Loan Guarantee Program (LGP) – provides a guarantee of partial principal repayment to the lender if a loan goes into default.

Learn more about Advantage Illinois HERE.

The Illinois Innovation Venture Fund (INVENT) is a $114 million equity capital program supported by the U.S. Department of the Treasury's State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) and managed by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO). This initiative aims to break down barriers for founders and communities that have struggled to access capital. The fund prioritizes small businesses, Capital Disadvantaged Business (CDB) owners, socially and economically disadvantaged individuals (SEDI), and industries aligned with the state's economic development plan. The goal is to foster sustainable growth, enhance access to capital, and support traditionally underserved entrepreneurs.

Learn more about the Illinois Innovation Venture Fund (INVENT) HERE.

This new program will be overseen by DCEO and administered by the Illinois Finance Authority (IFA), which will partner with local lenders to issue the loans.  As Illinois officially designated “Climate Bank”, IFA will be exclusively focusing on providing its SSBCI-supported financing for the start-up and/or expansion of ventures directly involving environmentally supportive, “green” businesses, including those that address the adverse impacts of climate change.

Learn more about the Climate Bank Finance Participation Program HERE.