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Technology and Innovation

Overview

Where Makers Thrive

The birthplace of groundbreaking inventions including the cell phone, the wireless remote and the first-ever web browser, Illinois is a place where ideas become patents, businesses and life-changing technologies.

The state’s history of innovation continues today thanks to its robust digital infrastructure, venture capital networks and continually growing talent base. The University of Illinois graduates more engineers each year than MIT, Stanford and CalTech combined, and there has been a 200% increase in startup companies launching from Illinois’ universities over the past 5 years.

Illinois companies raised $7.1B in funding over 397 deals in 2021 alone and 12 Chicago companies achieved unicorn status (valuations of more than $1B).

Quick Facts
#2
Data Center Location in the World
Cushman & Wakefield
Quick Facts
8th
in Total IT Jobs
2021
Quick Facts
6th
Largest
Tech Talent Labor Pool in North America
Quick Facts
2nd
in Nation
for Number of Computer Systems Analysis Program Completions
2020

Data

Largest Employers Based on Employment

Accelerators & Incubators

Business + Financial Services

Energy

Food + Beverage

Health + Sciences

Manufacturing

Technology

Corporate R&D

Business & Financial Services

Food & Beverage

Health & Sciences

Manufacturing

University R&D

Bradley University

DePaul University

Greenville University

  • Greenville SMART

Illinois Institute of Technology

Illinois State University

Lewis University

Loyola University

Northern Illinois University

  • Eigerlab
  • Microelectronics Research & Development Lab

Northwestern University

Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science

  • Innovation and Research Park

Southern Illinois University 

Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville

University of Chicago

University of Illinois System

University of Illinois at Chicago

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Discovery Partners Institute

University of St. Francis

  • University of St. Francis Business Incubator

Western Illinois University

Relevant News
Apr 9
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Oct 26
April 9, 2019

New ADM Animal Nutrition Facility Uses Industry-Leading Technology to Meet Customer Needs for Livestock Feed

DECATUR, Ill., April 3, 2019—Archer Daniels Midland Company (NYSE: ADM) today celebrated the opening of its new high-tech livestock feed facility in Quincy, Illinois. This is the fourth cutting-edge animal nutrition manufacturing facility in North America opened in recent months by the global leader in value-added products and solutions for both production and companion animals. […]

March 13, 2019

Illinois Featured in United’s Hemispheres Magazine

Illinois is featured in United’s Hemispheres magazine’s Dossier. More than 700,000 copies of the issue occupy every seat pocket on every United flight in the month of March, and 40 pages of the magazine are devoted to showcasing Illinois and its unmatched academic institutions, its wide variety of communities, and its unique business advantages. A […]

March 11, 2019

Illinois Ranks Third in Site Selection’s Governors Cup

Illinois ranks third in the country in Site Selection’s Governors Cup. The magazine ranks states based on new and expanded corporate facilities. Illinois has 444 projects recorded from 2018. The annual analysis is regarded by the corporate real estate world as the “industry scoreboard.” In addition to Illinois’ ranking, Chicago has once again been named […]

November 30, 2018

Salesforce Announces Salesforce Tower Chicago, Commits to Adding 1,000 New Local Jobs

Salesforce (NYSE:CRM), the global leader in CRM, today announced Salesforce Tower Chicago, significantly expanding the company’s regional headquarters in Chicago. As part of the expansion, Salesforce plans to add 1,000 new jobs locally, over the next five years, helping fuel the city’s economic development.

October 26, 2018

HARTING announces $6 million expansion of Elgin facility

Investment follows German trade visit and is expected to create 50 or more new jobs ELGIN – HARTING today announced a $6 million facility expansion at the German company’s world-class North American Headquarters in Elgin. The new investment will include the addition of a lab and showroom to the on-site warehouse and distribution center as […]