Image of movie set with text: Announcing First-in-the-Nation Sustainable Film Tax Credit.
Big news this #EarthDay! Illinois has launched the nation’s first film production tax credit designed to reward environmentally sustainable filmmaking. 🌎🎬⚡
Read more – bit.ly/4mJ8nPB
Celebrate #EarthDay by visiting one of Illinois’ breathtaking natural sites.
#MeetInTheMiddle and reconnect with nature. 🌎
Plan your trip – bit.ly/4cWybUX
Image of cannabis dispensary with text: Announcing Loans Awarded to Licensed Social Equity Cannabis Businesses
The third round of the #Cannabis Social Equity Loan Program is providing $31.8 million in direct forgivable loans to licensed social equity businesses across Illinois.
Learn more – www.illinois.gov/news/release...
WalletHub ranked North Chicago #1 in Illinois for starting a business.
🏆
Read more about how the Lake County suburb landed in the top spot. #BeInIllinois
bit.ly/4sZAzzj
Blue background with text: We’re Hiring! Join the DCEO Team.
DCEO is hiring! We have a variety of openings across the state, including:
✔️ Live Theater Credit Manager
✔️ Program Grant Administrator
✔️ Emerging Tech Manager
Apply today! bit.ly/3MNt2zV
Image of IL tourist destination with text: Announcing Newest Round of Tourism Grants.
Illinois is investing in tourism across our great state!
🌟 #EnjoyIllinois
Grant funding awarded through these tourism programs will:
✅ support new and improved attractions
✅ strengthen marketing efforts
✅ grow events and festivals
Read more – bit.ly/4mwoMH1
Calling all cinephiles! 🎥
The Chicago Latino Film Fest runs April 16-27.
Learn more about where and when you can watch the more than 80 films screening during this year’s lineup.
#Illinois is home to 4 of Niche's top 10 suburbs in the U.S. to raise a family, a testament to the state's favorable quality of life.
Check out who made the list: https://bit.ly/48sZmE8
The Illinois Office of Tourism has launched their spring/summer campaign! ☀️
Learn more about the state’s #MeetInTheMiddle campaign and plan your next trip. #EnjoyIllinois
Read more – bit.ly/3QkncMa
Image of urban planners with text: Team RED Webinar, Community Development Programming in 2026 – What’s New and What’s Next
Attention municipal leaders and economic development agencies! Join Team RED for an upcoming webinar to discuss what’s new and what’s next in Community Development Programming.
📅April 16 | 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Register – bit.ly/4lZHmXy
“Among the 10 largest metro areas in the country, Chicago was one of only four that saw improvements in domestic migration last year.”
For the third year in a row, Chicago’s population is on the rise – and it’s no surprise that people are recognizing what makes it the best big city in the nation.
Image of man at laptop with text Webinar: Presented by Office of Accountability
Attention grantseekers! DCEO’s Office of Accountability is hosting a virtual training session to explain what a Notice of Funding Opportunity is and see a breakdown of the template and where to find information.
📅Wednesday, April 15
9-10 a.m.
Learn more: dceo.illinois.gov/aboutdceo/gr...
Illinois’ art institutions are hosting events and exhibitions to celebrate #America250. Check out the lineup and plan your trip. 🎭 🎨 #EnjoyIllinois
chicago.suntimes.com/things-to-do...
ICYMI: Last week DCEO and @govpritzker.illinois.gov announced an additional $30M in funding for the state’s Regional Site Readiness Program. This funding will support grants to attract economic development projects.
www.bizjournals.com/chicago/news...
PopUp Bagels is coming to Illinois! 🥯
The East Coast bagel brand is making its Midwest debut with a Chicago location later this month.
Learn about the brand’s plans for future locations in Illinois – www.bizjournals.com/chicago/news...
Image of construction site with text: Announcing $30M in Additional Funding for Regional Site Readiness Opportunity.
The State of Illinois is doubling funding for the Regional Site Readiness program to ensure more regions throughout Illinois will attract industrial economic development.
Read more – bit.ly/4c0XhQW
Illinois is off to a powerful start in 2026! 🚀 📈 💼
Global companies are choosing to invest, expand, & create jobs across our state – driving nearly 4,000 new job commitments & $2.5B in investments in just the first quarter. #BeInIllinois
Read more – bit.ly/4v5F9hk
AAHM Illustration with text Arab American Heritage Month
This April, DCEO is celebrating Arab American Heritage Month! Throughout the month, DCEO will be sharing resources to support and uplift Illinois’ Arab American-owned businesses
and aspiring entrepreneurs.
Make sure to visit our website for more information –
bit.ly/4tlqoFD
Images of women DCEO executives with text Women’s Herstory Month 2026.
As we close out our #WomensHistoryMonth celebration, DCEO is proud to celebrate our women in leadership.
The women of DCEO leadership are dedicated to creating a strong economic ecosystem ensuring Illinois remains the best place to live, work, and do business. 💼
DCEO’s Director Kristin Richards joined Gov. Pritzker, and local and international economic leaders, at the Chicago Consular Corps Annual Meeting to discuss the importance of collaboration in promoting cultural and economic relations.
🌎
🤝
image of DCEO staff at Multi Chamber Breaking Barriers Summit
DCEO participated in the Multi Chamber Breaking Barriers Summit this Women’s History Month. The summit convened female entrepreneurs to provide them with resources and tools to overcome barriers and grow their business. 🤝 💼
Blue background with text: We’re Hiring! Join the DCEO Team.
DCEO is hiring! We have a variety of openings across the state, including:
✔️ Equal Opportunity Compliance Officer
✔️ Backend Grant Program Manager
✔️ Northern Stateline Senior Regional Manager
✔️ West Central Senior Regional Manager
Apply today! bit.ly/3MNt2zV
DCEO is committed to investing in the future of Illinoisians through various workforce development and apprenticeship programs.
Read more about how the state is preparing the next generation of diverse leaders for the trade industries. 🛠️
Image of woman on laptop with text: Webinar presented by Office of Economic Equity and Empowerment.
Join DCEO for an online conversation to get the latest updates on the State’s financial resources and opportunities. This month will feature guest speakers from the Illinois
Department of Agriculture.
📅April 1| 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. | Virtual
Make sure to register – bit.ly/4sWhoHA
Image of man at laptop with text Webinar: Presented by Office of Accountability.
Attention grantseekers! DCEO’s Office of Accountability is hosting a virtual training session covering the first step in the grant process: pre-qualification.
📅Wednesday, April 1
9-10 a.m.
Learn more: bit.ly/3Rajnrp
Image of M & M’s candy with text: Announcing Mars Snacking Expands Global Headquarters in Chicago.
Big news for Illinois – Mars Snacking is expanding its global headquarters in Chicago bringing more than 600 new jobs to the state!
🎉🍫💼
Read more – bit.ly/4rRDZDy
The State of Illinois’ #CEJA has been named one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies in Economic Development for 2026 – a national recognition of our bold approach to building a sustainable economy that prioritizes innovation, equity, and opportunity.⚡🌱🏆
Read more: bit.ly/3NWCfeg
In honor of Women's History Month, we're shining a light on dynamic women leaders who make our state a better place to live, work, and do business. Today's Economic Driver spotlight: @illinoisdceo.bsky.social Director Kristin Richards.
Read her profile: https://bit.ly/3NSOpVr
