Governor Pritzker Launches First-in-the-Nation Film Production Tax Credit to Incentivize Sustainable Filmmaking

CHICAGO – In celebration of Earth Day, Governor JB Pritzker today announced the launch of the first-in-the-nation incentive to promote environmentally sustainable film and television production. Under the expanded program, productions recognized as a “certified green production” through the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s (DCEO) Illinois Film Office will be eligible for an additional 5% tax credit – making Illinois the first state to incentivize film and television productions for meeting certain sustainability standards.

“Illinois is a prime destination for film and television productions, and we're proud to be the first state in the nation to incentivize sustainability in the industry,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Illinois is leading the way toward a greener future – one that promotes economic opportunity and environmentally sustainable productions at the same time.”

The launch comes as Illinois’ film industry continues to grow at a record pace with film production expenditures reaching a record-breaking high of $703 million in 2025, supporting an estimated 18,000 in industry hires. These strategic investments help drive continued growth in the sector while supporting thousands of jobs for Illinois workers and generating economic activity for businesses across the state including local caterers, hotels, drivers, and skilled union workers. As a result, Chicago now ranks as the third best big city for those who work in the film industry. ​ ​

“This expansion reflects our commitment to growing Illinois’ economy in a way that is both competitive and sustainable,” said DCEO Director Kristin Richards. “We are attracting world-class productions while building the infrastructure and workforce needed for a cleaner future ensuring that the benefits of this growth are felt statewide.”

“We designed this program to be both ambitious and practical to meet productions where they are while pushing the industry forward,” said DCEO Deputy Director Peter Hawley, who leads the Illinois Film Office. “Sustainable production isn’t just a goal, it’s a new standard, and Illinois is proud to be leading that shift.”

A “certified green production” is one that formally commits to and achieves recognized environmental sustainability benchmarks. These standards focus on minimizing waste, reducing energy use and emissions through efficient transportation and equipment, utilizing sustainable materials, and implementing responsible food practices. Productions are evaluated using a comprehensive scoring system developed by the Illinois Film Office to measure and report their environmental impact across all phases of production. ​

“I am proud to support an initiative that brings together innovation, job creation, and environmental responsibility,” said Senator Cristina Castro (Elgin). “Illinois is setting the standard for how states can grow their industries while building a more sustainable future.”

The new incentive is also expected to drive growth in Illinois’ clean energy and green vendor sectors. As productions adapt to meet certification requirements, demand will increase for infrastructure such as battery systems, solar-powered trailers, and renewable energy solutions – in turn creating new, good-paying jobs across the state. ​

“At the Illinois Green Business Program, we know that sustainability isn't just good for the environment – it is good for business and the bottom line,” said Cassie Carroll, Assistant Director, EnergySense Resilience Center at the University of Illinois and the Illinois Green Business Program. “The Illinois film sustainability incentive is a way to transform sustainable filmmaking from a voluntary choice to a strategic priority, diverting waste away from the landfill and encouraging smart resource use on set. This incentive sets the standard for filmmaking nationally, and we are thrilled to support the Illinois Film Office in this groundbreaking initiative."

“As someone who has worked for years to help make productions in Illinois more sustainable, I am absolutely thrilled that Governor Pritzker and the Illinois Film Office have made Illinois the first state in the country to offer productions a meaningful incentive to go green,” said Ellen White, CEO & Founder of Ecofixr, an Illinois-based full-service sustainability services company. “This is going to be a gamechanger for Illinois and will undoubtedly help Illinois attract more productions and the green jobs that go with them.”

In addition to long-term infrastructure growth, more immediate changes on set are anticipated such as transitioning from paper scripts to digital tablets, replacing single-use plastic water bottles with refill stations, and reducing reliance on diesel in favor of cleaner energy alternatives. By embedding sustainability into one of its fastest-growing industries, Illinois is setting a new national standard demonstrating that economic development and environmental responsibility go hand in hand.

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