Illinois is the top exporting state in the Midwest

Illinois has seen significant amounts of economic growth in 2024. In particular, Illinois doubled private investments from $6.3 billion in 2023 to $12.5 billion, quadrupling the number of retained jobs. Illinois also doubled company investments in the clean energy economy from $2 billion to $4 billion and achieved significant growth in key sectors including quantum computing, record-breaking tourism, and exports.

Aside from this, Illinois has grown to become the top exporting state in the Midwest. Additionally, Illinois is ranked fifth in the nation for its export sales. Illinois experienced another record-breaking year with export sales over $78.7 billion in 2023.

Illinois is home to many airports, railways, and shipping ports, which give companies a direct way to move their products all across the globe. Since 2019, Illinois exports have increased by 32%.

Read more …

Illinois Snow Sculpting Competition returns for 39th year!

Did you know Illinois has a snow sculpting competition?

In 1985, two Rockford businessmen stumbled upon a snow sculpture that showed a winter carnival scene while snowmobiling through Wisconsin. After finding out who created the sculptures, the businessmen invited the artists to Rockford where they sculpted an American eagle, the Statue of Liberty and the Liberty Bell, with the help of Rockford Park District staff.

Read more …

It’s National Popcorn Day in Illinois!

Today is National Popcorn Day and a perfect way to celebrate is to enjoy this classic treat as your state snack! National Popcorn day may have popped up on the National Holiday calendar in 2013, but this time-honored snack has been celebrated since 1988. From a traditional movie theatre food to a gourmet sweet, popcorn is a national and local staple.

With approximately 333 popcorn farms across Illinois, the state is recognized as the third largest grower of the product. In 2003, this “Official Illinois Snackfood” was voted as a state symbol thanks to the support of second and third grade students and their teacher, Fran Hollister, at Cunningham Elementary in Joliet, which was sponsored by former State Senator Larry Walsh.

Read more …

Future of Quantum in Illinois

Last year, Illinois made monumental economic developments, particularly one that brings the state to the forefront of a premier technological industry. Last summer, the state announced a major Manufacturing Illinois Chips for Real Opportunity Act agreement with PsiQuantum – a leading quantum computing company set to build the first practical, error-corrected quantum computer at the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park in Chicago.

Quantum computing is emerging as a cutting-edge sector of computer science that focuses on solving large problems through the use of quantum mechanics. Quantum computers, as opposed to normal super computers, use qubits instead of bits to store information and process the data differently. These computers can solve problems on a grander scale much faster than classical computers by testing multiple potential solutions simultaneously and measuring the probability of finding the best outcome.

Read more …