$34.7BGDP From Information Technology Sector
659High-Tech Sector Workers Per Billion of GSP
10.4%High-Tech Share of Total Workforce
Illinois has the 5th largest economy in the U.S. and the information technology sector represents $34.6 billion in annual GDP. The state is home to 34 Fortune 500 companies yet Chicago, while a growing tech hub, only represents about 10% of the state’s total tech workforce. Illinois averages over $4.5 billion in research and development funding, suggesting strong STEM sector growth will continue over the next decade. STEM-related jobs in the state have grown by 3.5% annually since 2010, compared to 2.5% growth nationally. And thanks to more than 300 corporate research facilities in the Chicago area, state businesses conduct roughly $12 billion in R&D activities annually.