Illinois Manufacturing: An Economic Titan
As one of the largest manufacturing states in the country, Illinois is a bona fide manufacturing powerhouse that has an exceptionally rich and diverse industrial history.
Our interactive app below walks you through the top 15 manufacturing cities in IL. These manufacturing centers represent 164,000 jobs (28% of all IL manufacturing), are potent forces in their local economies, and help drive the Illinois and national economy forward.
As one of the largest manufacturing states in the country, Illinois is a bona fide manufacturing powerhouse that has an exceptionally rich and diverse industrial history.
Our interactive app below walks you through the top 15 manufacturing cities in IL. These manufacturing centers represent 164,000 jobs (28% of all IL manufacturing), are potent forces in their local economies, and help drive the Illinois and national economy forward.
About COVID-19
- The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on local economies and manufacturing is not reflected in these figures. Future model updates will reflect these changes.
- One of the primary impacts of the COVID-19 development is an increase in the % of jobs that are in manufacturing due to job losses in other sectors more heavily hit by recent COVID-19 developments
5 Fast Facts About Illinois Manufacturing
There are 5 key facts that highlight the role manufacturing plays in helping drive Illinois forward economically and illustrates why it is set up exceptionally well for future manufacturing growth and recovery.
Data Sources Used Below
There are 5 key facts that highlight the role manufacturing plays in helping drive Illinois forward economically and illustrates why it is set up exceptionally well for future manufacturing growth and recovery.
Data Sources Used Below
- BEA: US Bureau Of Economic Analysis
- BLS: US Bureau Of Labor Statistics
Fact 1: Illinois Is A Major Player In US Manufacturing
Key Takeaways
- Illinois is the 4th largest manufacturing economy in the US. contributing 4.6% to national manufacturing GDP
- It is a very solid tier 2 manufacturer in terms of raw GDP output
- Manufacturing generates significant demand for goods and services from other sectors of the economy, from energy and construction to services. These factors are not fully captured in GDP.
Fact 2: Manufacturing is the 2nd largest contributor to Illinois GDP
Fact 3: Manufacturing is the 2nd largest employer in IL
Key Takeaways
- Manufacturing represents 9.8% of all IL jobs
- Small and mid sized manufacturers make up a significant portion of the Illinois manufacturing economy.
- 56% of all manufacturing employees work for companies with between 5 and 249 workers.
- 34% of all manufacturing employees work for companies with between 5 and 100 workers.
- 5 industry clusters provide a significant number of IL manufacturing jobs (fact #5 below)
Fact 4: Manufacturing Is The 3rd Largest Generator of Wages In IL
Fact 5: Illinois Has Exceptional Manufacturing Strength In Important Industry Clusters
While Illinois has a vast range of manufacturing segments, there are a few major industry clusters that are especially prevalent in the state.
The top 5 manufacturing segments in Illinois provide about 60% of all Illinois manufacturing jobs.
This economic specialization helps drive significant advantages and gains like R&D/innovation investment, high quality jobs, and helps drive growth in downstream industries.
Key Takeaways
The top 5 manufacturing segments in Illinois provide about 60% of all Illinois manufacturing jobs.
This economic specialization helps drive significant advantages and gains like R&D/innovation investment, high quality jobs, and helps drive growth in downstream industries.
Key Takeaways
- Total Illinois Manufacturing Jobs: 584,000, -0.8% YoY Growth
- Top 5 IL Manufacturing Segments: 342,200 jobs, -0.6% YoY Growth
- All Other IL Manufacturing segments: 241,900 jobs, -1.1% YoY Growth
Summary: Illinois Is A Manufacturing Destination
As the app above highlights, manufacturing is all around us in Illinois and is exceptionally important for a number of reasons:
Additionally, Illinois' central location nationally, large labor pool, and easy access to water, air, freight, and passenger transportation give it significant advantages over other states and enables it to influence almost every other major industry in the region.
We close with this quote from Steve Rauschenberger, President, TMA as it perfect encapsulates the importance of manufacturing in IL:
"If more local governments looked hard at what makes strong, healthy communities, I believe they would find small business and manufacturing at the root of that success" *
* Source: https://www.dhbusinessledger.com/business/20200417/how-one-village-became-home-to-north-americas-largest-industrial-park
As the app above highlights, manufacturing is all around us in Illinois and is exceptionally important for a number of reasons:
- It represents 9.8% of all IL jobs, but generates 12.0% of IL GDP, highlighting the fact that manufacturing activities tend to generate above average value added per employee.
- Manufacturing employs workers across education and skill levels, and is a particularly important provider of jobs with good wages for workers without a college degree.
- Manufacturing wages tend to be above average for non-college educated workers
Additionally, Illinois' central location nationally, large labor pool, and easy access to water, air, freight, and passenger transportation give it significant advantages over other states and enables it to influence almost every other major industry in the region.
We close with this quote from Steve Rauschenberger, President, TMA as it perfect encapsulates the importance of manufacturing in IL:
"If more local governments looked hard at what makes strong, healthy communities, I believe they would find small business and manufacturing at the root of that success" *
* Source: https://www.dhbusinessledger.com/business/20200417/how-one-village-became-home-to-north-americas-largest-industrial-park