Illinois’ film industry sets new record for production spending

Illinois’ film industry set a new record last year, with production companies spending $703 million: the highest total in state history, Gov. JB Pritzker announced.

“Fourteen years ago today, actually, we were filming the pilot of Chicago Fire in these very streets,” said actor Joe Minoso at a news conference Thursday at Cinespace Studios Chicago.

Best known as hero Joe Cruz on NBC’s “Chicago Fire,” Minoso said he owes a lot to Illinois: his production company, his marriage to a former makeup artist for the show and, of course, his career.

“Most actors spend their careers filming in cities standing in for some other city. Not us. We actually get to tell Chicago stories in Chicago on Chicago streets with Chicago crews, and nothing can ever replace that authenticity,” Minoso said.

He stood with Pritzker to announce Illinois film expenditures set a new record last year. Pritzker says 90% of production here is because of a program that offers tax incentives. Producers get a 35% tax credit for productions filmed in Illinois.

The program is locked in through 2039.

“The future of film, the future of storytelling is going to be shaped right here,” Pritzker said.

Cinespace Studios has become a film and TV destination. It’s home to shows like Chicago Fire, Chicago Med and Chicago PD. Minoso said since 2011, the franchise has contributed almost $2 billion to Illinois’ economy.

“It is our partnership with NBC Universal that built Cinespace Studios to what it is today,” said Keith Gee, co-chief executive officer of Cinespace Studios.

Pritzker’s administration said last year, 18,000 people were hired, paying out over $400 million in wages. NBC Chicago asked him how he plans to expand the film industry even further.

“There are ways in which we might be able to attract editing facilities, post-production facilities or people, I should say, to Illinois so that that work gets done here and not necessarily in Hollywood or someplace else,” Pritzker said.

He’s also touting a grant program that helps fund new studios across the state.