Transportation & Infrastructure
Overview
Global Access at the Heart of the U.S.
Home to five international airports, seven Class I railroads, the third largest interstate highway system in the country and the third largest intermodal port in the world, Illinois offers unparalleled access to global markets.
The state’s central location puts businesses, people and goods within a four-hour flight of the entire North American market—not to mention non-stop service to more than 50 international destinations.
In addition, the state offers businesses top-notch digital infrastructure, reliable, low-cost energy and abundant water and natural resources.
Dynamic Road and Rail Network
Illinois’ highly efficient network of road and rail includes seven Class I freight railroads, the largest intermodal system in the U.S.—the third largest in the world—and the third largest interstate highway system in the nation, complete with 2,158 miles of road.
Chicago is one of the largest rail corridors in North America, with approximately twenty-five percent of all U.S. freight traffic passing through it.
A Global Air Transport Hub
Ranked #1 in the U.S. for non-stop overseas flights, Illinois is a global hub for air transport. The state is home to 12 major airports, including Chicago O’Hare, which is among the world’s busiest airports, served by all significant international carriers.
Home to operations of United, Southwest and American airlines, Illinois boasts the only “Triple Hub” in North America, providing passengers with more than 1,400 daily departures and non-stop services to more than 200 destinations.
Ports Built for Trade
Offering access to two major water ports—the Port of Chicago and the Port of East St. Louis—Illinois’ connectivity doesn’t stop with rail and air.
Illinois also boasts the largest inland container port in North America—CenterPoint Intermodal Center, located in Joliet, IL—and 13 port districts and waterways, which provide access to the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean.
It’s no wonder Illinois ranks as the fifth largest exporting state in the U.S. and the top exporter in the Midwest.
Low-Cost Energy, High-Quality Digital
Illinois offers low energy rates and deregulation, abundant water and natural resources and robust digital infrastructure that keep your business running at a steady clip without compromising your bottom line.
The average cost of electricity in Illinois is significantly lower than many competitor states, including Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, Delaware and neighboring Wisconsin, and the state boasts among the best energy reliability in the Midwest.
The state is also committed to increasing its share of renewable energy and investing in smart grid and fiber optic technology to bring 21st century energy and digital solutions to its businesses and residents. A major digital hub, Chicago has among the highest fiber optic capacity of any metro area in the country and three of the world’s largest data centers are in Chicago or its suburbs.
Relevant News
ADM’s Rich History and Future in Illinois – Q&A with Greg Morris
ADM is a global leader in human and animal nutrition and the world’s premier agricultural origination and processing company. In this Q&A, senior vice president and president of ADM’s Agricultural Services and Oilseeds business unit, Greg Morris, discusses the company’s rich history and future in Illinois. Q: Can you tell us about ADM’s history in […]
World’s Largest Insect Protein Production Center Chooses Decatur for U.S. HQ
Innovafeed, a leader in production of animal nutrition and feed, recently announced plans to bring the world’s largest insect protein production to Decatur, Illinois. The facility will be owned and operated by France-based Innovafeed, which will co-locate with ADM’s Decatur corn processing complex. Together, these investments will bolster Illinois’ access to sustainable agriculture feed supply, […]
Illinois Investment Guide Now Available
This 2020/2021 Illinois Investment Guide is a yearly publication written by Site Selection magazine publisher Conway Global, that highlights the state’s assets as a global business destination, including its workforce, infrastructure, central location and diverse economy. The issue also reports on the State’s response to COVID-19, and its continued support for Illinois’ residents, small businesses […]
Illinois Lands Multiple Top Ten Rankings for Economic Development
The state of Illinois was ranked in the top ten for several economic growth categories, according to Business Facilities’ (BF) 2020 state rankings released this week. The annual report by BF looks at key economic development indicators for the 50 states, and ranks states’ performance based on level of investment, jobs created and upward mobility […]
The Most Effective Site Selection Tools
From Intersect Insight, the Quarterly newsletter highlighting Illinois economic development news. Intersect Illinois recently launched a new tool aimed at speeding up and simplifying the process of attracting job growth throughout the state. Our new real estate database and proposal management system, hosted on our website IntersectIllinois.org, provides immediate access to in-‐depth information that previously […]