CHICAGO – Members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus celebrated the launch of a first-of-its-kind incentive program to promote environmentally conscious television and filmmaking, positioning Illinois as a nationwide leader in sustainable film production.
“I am proud to support an initiative that brings together innovation, job creation, and environmental responsibility,” said State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin). “Illinois is setting the standard for how states can grow their industries while building a more sustainable future.”
Under the expanded program, productions recognized as “certified green productions” through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s 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.
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.
Illinois Senate Democrats have prioritized investments supporting the growth of the film industry, including expanding the Illinois Film Production Tax Credit, extending the incentive until 2039, and launching the Film & TV Workforce Training Program to connect more Illinois residents with careers in the industry.
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.
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.
