Gov. Pat Quinn says tax incentives to draw big film productions to Illinois have paid off, leading to a record $184 million in spending last year by production crews.
“We believe in making movies and shows in the heart of the heartlands,” Quinn said.
Quinn touted the benefits of more movie and TV work in the state during a visit Friday to the Chicago set of the science fiction film Divergent, which will star Kate Winslet.
Scenes in the book-turned-movie include Chicago landmarks like Navy Pier’s Ferris wheel, Millennium Park and Michigan Avenue, and Quinn said "Divergent" created thousands of jobs in Chicago.
Scenes in the book-turned-movie include Chicago landmarks like Navy Pier’s Ferris wheel, Millennium Park and Michigan Avenue, and Quinn said "Divergent" created thousands of jobs in Chicago.
In a news release, Quinn said the state's "talented crews, iconic shooting locations and world class sound stages and studios have helped make 2012 a banner year for the Illinois film industry."
Quinn's office says a record number of television shows also contributed. Those programs included Chicago Fire, Boss, Mob Doctor and Underemployed.
Together those four shows generated $92 million in spending last year.
Local
Junae Bennett contributed to this report.
