richards

The spending boom generated $4.7 billion in state and local tax revenue and directly supported more than 282,000 jobs in the tourism and hospitality sector, nearly 4,000 more than the year before. #spending

The Shortcuts winner will receive $250 and be screened at the 815HORTS festival, a short film festival based in Rockford scheduled November 14-15, 2025. #film

According to rankings by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Illinois continues to lead as the top exporting state in Midwest and the fourth largest exporting state in the U.S. In 2024, Illinois had another record-breaking year, with exports exceeding $81 billion, a 2.5% increase from 2023 and a 32% increase since 2019. #trade

As part of the program, participants will complete structured training and receive industry-recognized credentials, including OSHA-10 and CPR. #apprentieship