Archive for category Illinois

State has given $420 million in tax breaks to TV shows, movies, won’t detail why

Tim Novak and Tanveer Ali   Over the past decade, the state of Illinois has given nearly $420 million in tax breaks to companies that came to the state to make television shows such as “Chicago Fire,” movies like “Transformers” and dozens of commercials. What did those 1,817 productions do to earn those tax breaks? […]

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Illinois lifts its film tax program deferral to better compete with states like Georgia

Ellie HensleyStaff WriterAtlanta Business Chronicle Illinois has lifted the deferral of its new film tax applications, which will likely make it a stiffer competitor for Georgia when it comes to luring film and television projects. Illinois’ tax credit offers 30 percent on qualified expenditures in the the state, including production, post-production and film worker salaries […]

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Reeling in the area for film locations

Carrie NapoleonPost-Tribune A huge crowd of potential extras gathered in downtown Crown Point recently, hoping for a chance to appear as part of a protesting crowd, while residents gathered near the police department across the street to watch the scene unfold. With cast and crew for the Cerulean Filmworks production teeming around city hall and […]

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THE WATCHDOGS: Hollywood’s gift from Illinois taxpayers — $200 million in film tax credits

WRITTEN BY TIM NOVAK AND CHRIS FUSCO Chicago has become Hollywood on Lake Michigan, captivating residents and tourists alike who gawk at celebrities filming movies like “Transformers” and TV shows like “Chicago Fire.” State officials say filming has been an economic boon, with production companies spending an estimated $2.8 billion on Illinois goods, services and […]

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Film industry is paying attention to Illinois’ tax-credit freeze

GREG HINZ ON POLITICS Gov. Bruce Rauner’s move to defer action on any new applications for Illinois’ film tax credit is showing signs of playing well—in other states. Kenneth Blaine, a New Jersey-based consultant who works with movie and TV producers, sent an email to clients and studio execs this week reviewing “alternate options” to Illinois. […]

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As Illinois Suspends Big Tax Breaks, It’s Time to Recognize How Special Treatment Undermines a Welcoming Economy for All

In the wake of Illinois state lawmakers passing a budget with a nearly $4-billion deficit, Gov. Bruce Rauner on June 2 froze two flagship tax-credit programs administered by Illinois’ Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Proponents of the Economic Development for a Growing Economy, or EDGE, and Illinois Film Tax Credit programs say they’re necessary to make the state […]

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Chicago film studio suing state of Illinois, claims production work unfairly steered to rival

CHICAGO — A film studio that has been in Chicago since 1979 is suing the state, accusing it of unfairly steering productions to a newer rival that hosts shows such as “Chicago Fire” and “Chicago P.D.” Chicago Studio City filed the lawsuit in federal court last week against the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic […]

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Lawsuit: State unfairly gave Chicago TV/film studio leg up over competitor

By Tony BriscoeChicago Tribune Chicago-based production studio has filed a federal lawsuit claiming the state wrongfully issued tax credits and steered projects such as “Chicago Fire” to its competitor, according to court documents. Two companies, known collectively as Chicago Studio City, allege in a federal lawsuit filed last week in Illinois that the state Department of […]

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Two TV pilots begin filming in Chicago Monday

Luis Gomez CHICAGO TRIBUNE Don’t assume that the TV crew you happen to come across in Chicago this month is shooting Fox’s “Empire” or NBC’s “Chicago Fire” or “Chicago P.D.” “Empire” has already wrapped on season one, and besides that, there are two new network TV pilots filming in the area. ABC’s “Runner” and NBC’s “Love […]

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