St. Louis, MO, October 5, 2026 — Illinois is intensifying efforts to become a hub for film and television production through the strategic use of competitive tax credits. Officials in the state are implementing these incentives with the specific goal of drawing movie and TV projects to the Metro East region.

A key development in this initiative is the establishment of a new studio facility. Hollywood River Studios, located in Madison County, is set to leverage these state-backed incentives. The program is designed to make Illinois, and specifically the Metro East area, a more attractive location for filmmakers compared to other states offering similar benefits.

The underlying objective of these competitive film tax credits is multifaceted. Beyond attracting the production industry itself, the initiative aims to stimulate economic growth within the local communities. This includes fostering the creation of new job opportunities and boosting business for local enterprises that support the film industry, such as catering, accommodation, and specialized technical services. The success of Hollywood River Studios in the Metro East is seen as a significant step in realizing these economic goals.

Details regarding the specific structure or value of the competitive film tax credits were not provided in the summary. Furthermore, the timeline for the full implementation of these incentives or projected job creation figures were also not detailed.

The establishment of Hollywood River Studios marks a concrete step in the state’s strategy to build its film production infrastructure. By providing financial incentives, Illinois seeks to ensure that the Metro East region can compete effectively for the growing number of film and television projects seeking filming locations.


Story summarized from the original created by Katie Grawitch on www.stlpr.org, see more information here.

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