OFFICE OF PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

The Springfield Prospectus Site Selection FAQs

If you are looking to locate or expand your business operations, or simply looking for a great place to live and work, Springfield, Illinois, should be your location of choice.  The following are answers to frequently asked questions concerning Springfield’s critical location factors.

How stable is the Springfield economic base?

The diversity of the Springfield economy, which is supported by extremely stable service-sector employers and governmental institutions, is an attractive feature of living and working in the area.   Sangamon County and the six surrounding counties of Logan, Macoupin, Christian, Menard, Montgomery and Morgan, serve as the area’s central labor pool for local employers.

By industry in 2001, the Springfield MSA showed 32% of workers in Services, 28% in Government, 17% in Retail Trade, 6% in FIRE, 4% in Wholesale Trade, 4% in Transport-Communications-Public Utilities, 4% in Manufacturing, and 6% in Construction, Mining and Quarrying.  From 1994 to 2001, the largest percentage increases in employment were in business services, health services, and other service industries.  Currently in the Springfield area, there are 134 manufacturing firms employing 4,300 workers.

In addition, Springfield serves as a regional commercial retail hub, drawing shoppers from throughout the surrounding area, and as well drawing visitors from around the world as a national and international tourism destination.

What about cost-of-living in Springfield?

The Springfield area housing market is one of the most affordable markets in the United States and boasts a lower than average cost of living according to ACCRA.

Springfield’s price-adjusted, real per capita personal income is the most powerful in Illinois.  In a study conducted by Old Dominion University in 2000, the buying power of Springfield residents was ranked as the strongest in Illinois and 39^th among 219 metro areas studied.  The study compared personal income with cost of living to evaluate the buying power of residents.

Will I find competitive business costs in Springfield?

Business costs in the Springfield area are among the lowest in the nation.  According to a recent study by Standard and Poor’s evaluating utility costs, real estate and salaries among America’s 316 MSA’s, Springfield’s business costs were ranked as the second lowest in the nation.

How compatible is the Springfield business climate?

Springfield was ranked 12^th among the top 25 cities in the nation for doing business by Business Development Outlook magazine.  Expansion Management magazine recently rated Springfield as a Five Star location for medium-sized business expansion and relocation.

What is the availability of skilled labor in the Springfield area?

The Springfield-Sangamon County labor market is one of the largest in central Illinois due to the propensity of its workforce to commute long distances to work.  The Springfield-Sangamon County area has the highest commuting-in rate of any central Illinois community, significantly broadening the pool from which skilled labor is selected

The labor pool in the Springfield area is extensive and includes unemployed, under-employed, and re-entering retirees, representing a potential available workforce of 228,057 individuals in the Springfield area.  A workforce audit conducted by The Center for Governmental Studies at Northern Illinois University found that there were 186,413 under-employed workers who were interested in a different job or an additional job.  The workforce audit also found 25,251 individuals who were not working but were considering returning to the workforce.  The 16,393 retired workers re-entering the workforce are younger than average and a significant number are under the age of 65.  Of the 228,057 potential available workforce 31% have experience in computers/electronics, 37.4% in health care or medical devices, 21.5% in manufacturing, and 20% in agriculture and agribusiness. 

The Center for Governmental Studies audit found that overall labor quality in Springfield is considered among the best in the nation by local employers.  Employers rated employees good or very good on job performance as it relates to trainability, basic skills, productivity and attitudes.  Low rates of turnover and absenteeism also add up to a productive, skilled workforce.

How would you describe the labor/management climate in the city?

The local relationship between labor and management is considered to be good due to the frequent and successful re-negotiations of labor contracts and the unusually low incidence of work stoppages.

Are construction services available locally?

More than 160 general contracting firms are located in the Springfield area. Dozens of specialized firms supplement these businesses allowing Springfield to meet every construction need.  Thirty architectural and engineering firms are located in the area and many of these firms have national and international experience in major public and private construction projects.

What major highway access is available to Springfield businesses?

Springfield is located at the intersection of Interstate Highways 55 and 72, reaching a population of 57.5 million within 400 miles.  Springfield is at the very center of a broad marketplace that encompasses the Midwest and much of the near south, strategically located between Chicago (200 miles to the north), St. Louis (90 miles to the south) and Indianapolis (250 miles to the east).

Thirty-five intrastate and 74 interstate trucking companies serve Springfield, and the community currently supports 41 truck terminals.  In addition, 25 specialized carriers operate to meet the particular needs of local businesses.  Direct-line shipments are available to virtually all major US markets.

What airport service is available in Springfield?

Springfield’s Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport, the region’s full service airfield, is among the finest in Illinois and was voted as Illinois’ best airport in 2000.  Located just three miles northwest of downtown Springfield, the facility is operated by the Springfield Airport Authority.  

Passenger air service to Springfield is provided by American and United Express. Corporate aircraft refurbishing is available via Garret Aviation, a Capital Airport tenant.  Complete charter, aircraft repair and maintenance, and fuel services are available on-site.

Along with the airport facility, the Springfield Airport Authority controls 2,000 acres of land on and surrounding the airport.  The Authority has indicated a strong willingness to accommodate new industry by offering low lease costs for firms locating distribution facilities at the airport.

What is the availability of rail?

Springfield is well situated to provide rail access for both passengers and freight.

For passenger traffic, Springfield offers daily service to both Chicago and St. Louis through Amtrak.  Numerous rail connections are available from these locations.  Passenger rail service is expected to expand over the next few years with the inclusion of Springfield as a stop on a new high-speed rail line that will connect St. Louis and Chicago.

Five railroads serve Springfield and Sangamon County.  These include the Norfolk Southern, the Canadian National-Illinois Central, Gateway Western/Kansas City, the Illinois Midland, and the Union Pacific.  These rail lines provide excellent direct shipment access to major markets throughout the US and close proximity to rail bulkheads in Chicago, East St. Louis, and Kansas City.  Springfield is within a one-day rail shipment time of St. Louis, Indianapolis, Chicago and Kansas City.

What mass transit and bus service is available in Springfield?

Intra-city bus service is provided by the Springfield Mass Transit District (SMTD).  Nine regular bus routes operate Monday through Saturday between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.  The current system covers all sectors of the city, carrying over 2 million passengers each year and providing more than 900,000 vehicle miles of service.  Bus fares are $.75.

A special transit system is operated by the SMTD, offering door-to-door service for the elderly and disabled within the urban area. 

Long distance inter-city bus service is provided by Crown Travels and Greyhound.  Daily schedules permit regular travel to all parts of the US.  Regularly scheduled inter-city commuter routes serve an area with a radius of approximately 55 miles of Springfield.  Sixteen firms offer charter bus service.

Is there a reliable source of electricity in Springfield?

City Water, Light and Power (CWLP), Springfield’s municipally owned and operated utility, operates a fully integrated electric generation, transmission and distribution system.   Energy is produced by five coal fired, steam generating plants, two oil turbine plants, and one natural gas turbine plant.  The system is extremely reliable and offers significant capacity for new loads. The peak generating capacity is 619 Megawatts, with 426 Megawatts being the highest summer peak reached (7/23/01) and 278 Megawatts being the highest winter peak (12/26/01). 

The coal-fired plants are scrubbed, meaning that low cost electricity generated from nearby coal will be available into the foreseeable future.

In terms of reliability, during 1998, the last year for which comparative data is available from the Illinois Municipal Electric Agency, CWLP’s Customer Average Outage Duration Index was only 88 minutes compared to a US average of 97 minutes and an average of 266 minutes for five other major Illinois utilities.  While other parts of the country have seen the outage duration increase over the past few years, CWLP’s fell to only 66 minutes in 2000. 

Moreover, the likelihood of a CWLP customer experiencing outages or service interruptions is extremely low.  The System Average Interruption Frequency Index for CWLP in 1998, again the last year for which comparative figures are available, was only 0.696, while the US average was 1.460 and the average of the five major Illinois utilities was 1.938.

Altogether, CWLP’s 1998 Average Service Reliability Index was 99.99%, meaning outages accounted for only 0.01% of the total service-demand time required by CWLP customers during that entire year.

Electricity rates in Springfield are also among the lowest in Illinois and the Midwest.  The table below provides some residential cost comparison with other area utilities.

An Economic Development Rider (EDR) is also available to any new or existing permanent, general-service customer meeting certain demand qualifications.  Generally, a new or existing customer can qualify for the EDR by increasing electric demand over the customer’s base period demand.  This increase in electric demand must be the result of new construction, capital expansion or annexation.  The base period demand for a new customer would be calculated as zero.   Industrial and Non-Industrial (does not include retail) customers should contact CWLP for additional information concerning this program.

Who provides natural gas service in Springfield?

All commercial and residential customers in Springfield and much of the balance of Sangamon County are provided natural gas service by AMEREN/CILCO, an AES Company since 1999.  AES is the world’s largest global power company.  AMEREN/CILCO transports natural gas through Panhandle Eastern Pipeline Co.

AMEREN/CILCO serves 198,000 customers with a delivery capacity from the pipeline company of 285,600 cf, and from storage fields of 260,000 cf. The peak 24-hour demand (1/15/72) was 443,167 cf. Average monthly consumption in Springfield is 73.8 therms, and average monthly cost is $43.80.

The company will negotiate rates with industrial users’ with high natural gas demand.

Does Springfield have adequate water capacity to meet our needs?

City Water, Light and Power (CWLP), Springfield’s municipally owned and operated utility, supplies the urban area and nine surrounding communities and public water districts with water from Lake Springfield, a 6.6 square mile (4,200 acre) man-made lake.

The lake has storage capacity of approximately 17.5 billion gallons and is supplied by a watershed of 265 square miles.  In times of low rainfall the lake level is augmented by drawing water from the South Fork of the Sangamon River via channel dam and pumping station.

The water purification plant is a fully integrated operation designed to process raw water for human consumption. The present processing capacity of the purification plant is 42 MGD. The reliability of the water purification plant is excellent, with no curtailment of services during the last 65 years. 

Storage in the distribution system is provided by a one-million gallon elevated tank located in the near-western part of the city, a four-million gallon ground storage tank in the near-north part of the city, and a five million gallon standpipe in the southwestern part of Springfield.  Six million gallons of water remain in clear wells at the purification plant for an average of nine hours before being distributed through 590 miles of water mains to CWLP customers.  Eighty-five percent of the water is used before reaching one of the storage tanks.  Pressure on the system averages 60 psi throughout.

The planning and permitting process is well underway for a second lake as a potential future supplemental source of raw water.

Water charges are based on units of water used by customers, where 1 unit = 100 cubic feet = 748 gallons.  There are also certain minimum charges based on water meter size.  A three-block rate structure remains the same for all customers; only the customer charge varies depending on the size of the meter.

Springfield’s water rates are among the lowest in Illinois.  Assuming an average usage of 8 units per month with a 5/8” meter, a Springfield resident would pay $10.81 per month.

In 1968, the Springfield City Council established a fund for the purpose of extending water mains to new industries.  A new or expanding industry may apply to the City to request cost participation in any water main extension needed for development.

How is wastewater disposal handled?

The Springfield Sanitary District provides wastewater collection and treatment for Springfield, five adjacent villages and other unincorporated areas.  The District controls the connection to and use of sewers in all areas, though the collection system within the City is maintained by Springfield’s Office of Public Works.

Combined sewers serve the central city and the District intercepts and treats the dry weather flow and the first flush of wet weather flows from this area.  All of the areas developed after 1930 are served by separate sanitary and storm sewers.

Prior to connect to the District sewers, the District requires that property be annexed to the District.  The land must be contiguous to present District boundaries. 

The District’s financial picture is excellent as witnessed by its most recent bond issue ratings.  The outstanding general Obligation Bonds are being serviced using current revenues.  There are no outstanding revenue bonds.

The District recently enlarged collection and treatment capacity for the system.  No major improvements are planned or will be necessary to meet state or federal regulations.  Presently two treatment plants serve the Springfield area: the Sugar Creek facility (current flow 6MGD, current capacity 25MGD, excess capacity 19MGD), and the Spring Creek facility (current flow 20MGD, current capacity 50MGD, excess capacity 30MGD.)

The existing rates of the Springfield Sanitary District, among the lowest in Illinois, impose user charges of 32 cents per 100 cubic feet of wastewater, plus a flat $1.00/month service charge.  In addition, charges from $.04 to $.06 per pound of TSS and/or BOD are assessed for discharge that exceeds 250 mg/1 of either of these components.

Can the City provide fiber optics?

The municipal utility, City Water, Light and Power (CWLP) has installed over 100 miles of fiber optic lines throughout the city.  This system is extremely fast, operating at speeds equal to nearly 20,000 dial-up Internet connections.  Today CWLP can offer a wide range of fiber optic based communication services with connection speeds of 10 Mbps, 100 Mbps, 1,000 Mbps, and various ATM connections. CWLP’s network equipment is highly expandable, allowing for significant future growth.

Due to the already existing electric service responsibilities, CWLP is staffed for a 24x7 trouble call system.  Trouble clerks have access to the appropriate communication staff to resolve any network issues.  If a customer does experience a network problem, CWLP’s communication staff will usually know about the problem before the customer because all nodes of the network are monitored by HP Openview and the system is configured to automatically page CWLP engineers and technicians when a problem occurs.

The entire network is built for redundancy with all core equipment and paths redundant so that there are no single points of failure.  Also, since this network also serves CWLP, it receives first priority attention.

This system is currently used for municipal services, but if of benefit to a client, the City is willing to discuss the parameters in which this fiber optic capacity might be made available for business expansion and development.

How about education and training opportunities?

The Greater Springfield area offers a wide array of education and job training resources.  Seventy-one public and 31 private schools prepare young people for further study at the college or university level, vocational training centers, or for direct entry into the workforce. Springfield area public schools have earned “Blue Ribbon” designations from Expansion Management magazine.

Total enrollment for Sangamon County schools during the 2002-2003 school year was 33,885, resulting in the employment of 2,468 educators.

The school districts serving Springfield operate a substantial adult education program, and the City is also served by the Capital Area Career Center, a secondary-level vocational center operated by 14 public school districts, which offers introductory vocational/technical programs along with customized shorter-term sequences.

Of persons 25 years-of-age or older, Springfield-Sangamon County presents a proportion of its population holding a high school diploma, which is higher than the national average.  The local percentage of high school education attainment is 83%.  Additionally, more than one-fifth of the Sangamon County population holds a bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university.

Colleges and universities within a 60-mile radius of Springfield include:

The University of Illinois at Springfield (UIS) offers a number of degree programs including business administration.  Its accounting program is regularly recognized based upon the number of accounting majors passing the CPA exam.

The University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign (UIUC) is also within commuting distance of Springfield. UIUC is regularly recognized as having one of the best colleges of business administration in the nation.  In addition, UIUC offers extensive educational programs in robotics and information systems technology as the home of the National Super Computing Center.

What health care institutions are in Springfield?

Springfield is the premier health care and medical center for central Illinois.  Three major hospitals, over 40 clinics, and a full complement of other medical facilities and services are available to meet the region’s medical needs.

St. John’s Hospital is an affiliate of the Hospital Sisters Health System and, as a regional healthcare referral center, provides tertiary care for the entire central and southern Illinois area.  The hospital has over 700 beds, and in FY 1999 served over 20,500 inpatients and 100,000 outpatients.  With an employee compliment of 3,500 FTE’s, St. John’s is the city’s second largest employer.  Its medical staff numbers more than 575 physicians, podiatrists and dentists, and its physical plant covers 13 city blocks.

Associated with St. John’s is the Prairie Heart Institute which houses all cardiac care services.  The Prairie Heart institute is the largest cardiovascular center in Illinois and is nationally recognized for superior quality, cost-effective health care.  Approximately 10,000 procedures are performed in the seven cardiac catheritization laboratories each year.  This includes diagnostic catheritization and non-surgical treatment procedures. The cardiovascular department offers a full range of sophisticated diagnostic services for adult and pediatric cardiology and vascular patients. More than 1,800 open-heart surgery procedures are performed each year. 

The Carol Jo Vecchie Women’s and Children’s Center reflects St. John’s ongoing commitment and responsiveness to families with the convenient co-location of the Birth Center, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, St. John’s Children’s Hospital and women’s health services all in one state-of-the-art facility.  Over 2,500 children are admitted to Children’s Hospital each year and another 8,000 treated as outpatients in pediatric rehabilitation.

The Level 1 Southern Illinois Trauma Center is a partnership of Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Memorial Medical Center, and St. John’s Hospital.  The two hospitals alternate responsibility for the adult Level 1 Trauma Center annually.  Because of St. John’s unique ability to care for critically ill children, St. John’s is the receiving hospital for all pediatric trauma involving children age 11 and under.

St. John’s also serves as a teaching hospital for Southern Illinois University School of Medicine.  The hospital also supports other areas of medical education, including St. John’s College Department of Nursing.  St. John’s also offers allied healthcare training programs in medical technology, histotechnology, electroneurodiagnostic technology, and respiratory therapy.  The hospital also sponsors a dietetic internship program.

Memorial Medical Center is a 600 bed general acute care institution serving central and southern Illinois.  It is also headquarters for a 900 bed multi-hospital system through its management services division. In 1999, Memorial Health System’s gross revenue was one-half billion dollars.

Memorial has 400 physicians on its medical staff who provides a wide array of specialized services, including 24-hour medical service in the Emergency Department.  Over 3,500 employees provide comprehensive care, including the work of 13 specialty units, which cover such areas as burn treatment, cardiac care, kidney transplantation and oncology.

Outpatient services at Memorial are extensive and are offered by most departments.  Additionally, memorial operates two free-standing outpatient facilities that offer a comprehensive range of services in the Baylis Building and at the Koke Mill Medical Center. 

Memorial also provides the clinical setting for undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate physician training in affiliation with the Southern Illinois School of Medicine. 

Additional specialty medical care facilities in Springfield include the Springfield Clinic and the Cancer Institute.

The newly established Mid Illinois Medical District has been created to support advancement of the health sciences, services and facilities of our thriving healthcare market.  The district serves as a focused and consistent developer of medical facilities in a one-square-mile area of Springfield.  Property in the area is redevelopment to attract medical businesses as well as research and development activities.  The district supports activities and projects related to health sciences, health care facilities and services, medical research facilities and services, emerging high technology enterprises, along with businesses and other activities provided for in the act. 

Is Springfield a safe city?

The fire protection services provided by the Springfield Fire Department (SFD) have earned a high fire rating for insurance purposes.  Springfield’s fire department is one of the very few to be among the top departments in the country.

The Springfield Police Department (SPD) is a very innovative and effective force as demonstrated by its well respected community-policing efforts.  The SPD has been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA).

The most current figures available for Springfield as compiled by the Illinois State Police, show that the crime index decreased by 5.9% from the previous year.

What is the quality of life in Springfield?

The Springfield metro area offers an attractive quality of life for all who live here.

The climate in Springfield is indicative of pleasant conditions with distinct seasonal changes, but without extended periods of extreme heat or cold.  Springfield’s location, midway between the Continental Divide and the Atlantic Ocean, offers a typical continental climate.

Annual snowfall averages just under 22 inches; however, the snow tends to disappear within a few days.  Sunshine averages more than 70% during the summer months and 45% during the winter months. 

Air pollution is not a problem in Springfield.  In fact, the area is free of major problems.

What recreational resources are available?

Springfield provides its residents with excellent neighborhood, community and regional recreational resources.  There are 30 public parks which provide passive and active recreation areas, and Lake Springfield, located on the southern edge of the community, offers water-related recreation on its 4,235 acres of lake surface and 57 miles of shoreline.  Boating and fishing are excellent on the lake and located around the lake are eight public parks.  These lake-side parks offer picnic tables and shelters, playgrounds, softball diamonds, restrooms and lake access.

Among the other interesting outdoor venues in the city are the Adams Wildlife Sanctuary, Lincoln Memorial Gardens, Washington Park Botanical Gardens, and the Henson Robinson Zoo.

Nine golf courses are part of the Springfield landscape.  Among these courses is The Rail Golf Club, home of the State Farm Rail Classic, an annual LPGA tour stop.

Popular spectator sports including watching the University of Illinois at Springfield’s Prairie Stars collegiate sports teams, the Springfield Junior Blues Hockey Team, and special professional and college sporting events held periodically at the Prairie Capital Convention Center.

The Springfield Park District provides a year-round community recreational program.

What cultural amenities are available?

Springfield’s cultural opportunities are many and varied.  Programs, events, exhibits, concerts, classes and performances cross the arts spectrum.  Local arts groups and councils are very active in their support for programs that meet the diverse tastes of Springfield’s art, music and theatre patrons.

The Springfield Art Association and the Michael Victor II Art Library are located in Edwards Place on North Fourth Street.  The association conducts classes for children and adults, and holds lectures, demonstrations and special art exhibits in the gallery of this restored Victorian mansion.

The Prairie Capital Convention Center and the Sangamon Auditorium, which part of the Public Affairs Center on the campus of the University of Illinois at Springfield, play host to numerous nationally-known entertainers from Broadway plays, to major symphony orchestras, to popular music groups and comedic entertainment.

The Illinois State Fair annually brings top nationally known entertainers to the community and the fair itself is a major event drawing hundreds of thousands of people each summer.

Other special events held each year include the Old Capitol Art Fair, the International Carillon Festival, Washington Street Jazz and Blues, the Sangamon County Fair, the Ethnic Festival, First Night Springfield, and numerous other citywide and neighborhood festivities.  The Springfield Municipal Band plays two nights a week during the summer at Douglas Park and once during the season at parks having a bandstand.

The Springfield Muni Opera presents four Broadway musicals each year between June and August at its 750 seat open-air theatre near Lake Springfield.  Each performance is accompanied by a full orchestra.

The Springfield Theater Center is a community theatre group that features talented local performers.  Musicals, comedies and drama are offered from September through June.  The Center also offers drama classes and classes in back stage techniques.  The community also supports a Ballet Company and an outstanding Symphony Orchestra.

The Springfield arts scene also has available the new Hoogland Center for the Arts.  This 80,000 square foot facility, located in downtown Springfield, offers arts venues ranging from large to small theatres, as well as offices for local arts groups.

Springfield is also served by a number of world class museums headed by the $140 million Abraham Lincoln Presidential library and Museum, and includes the Oliver Parks Telephone Museum, the Illinois State Military Museum, the Illinois State Museum, the Daughters of the Union Museum, the Veterans of the Civil War Museum, and the Museum of Funeral Customs.  Other attractions include the Illinois Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Korean War Memorial, and the World War II Memorial.

The community enjoys outstanding library facilities.  Springfield’s public Lincoln Library serves residents from a three-story downtown headquarters library and three neighborhood branch libraries.  Also available on a limited basis are the resources of the Illinois State Library and the libraries at the University of Illinois at Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College, and the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine.

What historic sites can be found in the area?

Springfield’s historic sites are the attraction for more than one million visitors annually.  The national, state and local Abraham Lincoln sites are the most popular attraction.  Lincoln's home, tomb and law office, along with the restored village of New Salem, which is within a short drive of Springfield, are leading attractions.  The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum is a world class facility that informs all who visit about the life of this great President and the historic period in which he lived.

Other historic sites in Springfield include: the Illinois State Museum, the Old State Capitol, the current State Capitol and Capitol Complex, the Governor’s Mansion, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Dana-Thomas House, and the Thomas Rees Carillon.

Competitive Incentives?

State and local officials are prepared to negotiate a smooth transition into the Springfield economy with consideration on making a local site a compelling choice for any firm.  For example:

The City of Springfield’s Office of Planning and Economic Development routinely coordinates the administration of public debt financing for expanding firms that qualify for private activity bonds.  Funds may be used for a variety of purposes, usually associated with the construction or expansion of manufacturing plant and equipment and real estate.  The city currently has authority for in excess of $7 million in private activity bonds.

The City of Springfield has elected to use a portion of its federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to provide loans to businesses.  These loans are subject to all requirements of the US Department of Housing and Urban Development.

There are a total of 91 state designated enterprise zones in Illinois.  Springfield was one of the first ten governmental areas to receive this designation.  Since the inception of the Springfield Enterprise Zone program, the original zone area has been expanded from 2,350 acres to 3,401 acres, or 5.32 square miles.  Businesses locating in Springfield’s enterprise zone for property tax abatements and are exempt from sales tax on all building materials purchased in Illinois for new construction or building rehabilitation.   A building permit must be issued for the project and a sales tax exemption form must be obtained from the Office of Planning and Economic Development. Numerous forms of assistance are also available from the State of Illinois for qualifying projects.

Office of Planning & Economic Development
800 E. Monroe, Room 107
Springfield, IL 62701
217.789.2377 or 1.800.357.2379