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Illinois’ Enhanced Film Incentive: How Productions Can Maximize the 55% Stackable Tax Credit
Learn why major productions are choosing to film in Illinois—and how to extend your budget with incentive savings.
February 5, 2026
The Illinois film incentive just underwent its most significant update in years. With the new 55% stackable tax credit and a program extension through 2038, Illinois has moved from a regional player to a global production powerhouse.
In this episode, moderator Joseph Chianese is joined by industry leaders Eoin Egan (Co-CEO, Cinespace Studios), co-executive producer Dana Scott (Beef, Ozark), and executive producer Richard S. Lederer (Empire, Power Book IV: Force), for a strategic deep dive into the new rules of Midwest production—and how to extend your budget with incentive savings.
In this session, you'll learn:
- How productions can stack credits (up to 55%) and plan budgets effectively
- New flexibility for non-resident hiring, including department heads
- How Illinois compares to leading US incentive programs in CA, NJ, and NY, and strong international incentives in the UK and Ireland
- Lessons from the global production boom and how to leverage Illinois' 15-year program with certainty
Runtime: 1 hr.
Topic: Production Incentives
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