Chicago Construction News staff writer
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) has unveiled a $10 million grant program aimed at enhancing local film studio infrastructure, creating opportunities for professionals in the construction field.
The Field 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.
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 benefitting mightily from the growth of our TV and film production industry,” said Pritzker. “On average, Illinois receives about $7 in return for every dollar we invest in our tax credit.”
The Field Studios will be Chicago’s first purpose-built studio campus. The massive new facility will include nine sound stages on two lots totaling 132,000 sq. ft. of sound stages and over 350,000 sq. ft. of creative and production offices, plus mill and support space on Chicago’s Northwest side.
“Knickpoint Ventures is thrilled to present The Fields Studios – the culmination of years of work to deliver this extraordinary piece of critical infrastructure to the Illinois film and television community,” said Zain Koita, managing partner of Knickpoint Ventures. “Over the last several years we have transformed this vacant, 23 acre abandoned industrial complex into a thriving mixed-use campus with retail, office, and residential already on site.”
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.
“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.
