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Enterprise Zone Program


Overview:

The Illinois Enterprise Zone Program is designed to stimulate economic growth and neighborhood revitalization in economically depressed areas of the state.  This is accomplished through state and local tax incentives, regulatory relief, and improved governmental services.  Businesses located (or those that choose to locate) or expanding in a designated enterprise zone can become eligible to obtain special state and local tax incentives, regulatory relief, and improved governmental services, thus providing an economic stimulus to an area that would otherwise be neglected.


Contact:         

Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
Bureau of Business Development
620 E. Adams
Springfield, IL 62701
(217) 782-6145
TTY: (800) 785-6055

Local Zone Administrators:

County/Zone:  Des Plaines River Valley (18)
Zone City(s):  Joliet; Rockdale; Romeoville; Will County
Daniel Vera
302 N. Chicago St.
Joliet, IL 60432
(815) 740-4780


County/Zone:  Joliet Arsenal (94)
Zone City(s):   Joliet
Matt Ryan
Will County Executive Chief of Staff
302 N. Chicago St.
Joliet, IL 60432
(815) 774-7486

 

Website: 

http://www.illinoisbiz.biz/dceo/Bureaus/Business_Development/Tax+Assistance/Enterprise-Zone.htm

 

Eligibility:

    • The first two exemptions identified above require a business to make application to and be certified by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.
    • Each enterprise zone has a designated zone administrator who is responsible for zone compliance and is available to answer questions regarding the zone.
    • To receive a Certificate of Eligibility for Sales Tax Exemption, you must contact the local zone administrator of the zone into which the purchased building material will be incorporated.


Employer Benefits:

  • An exemption on the retailers' occupation tax paid on building materials, an investment tax credit of .5 percent of qualified property, and an enterprise zone jobs tax credit for each job created in the zone for which a certified dislocated worker or economically disadvantaged individual is hired
  • Additional exemptions, such as an expanded state sales tax exemption on purchases of personal property used or consumed in the manufacturing process or in the operation of a pollution control facility and an exemption on the state utility tax for electricity, natural gas and the Illinois Commerce Commission's administrative charge and telecommunication excise tax are available for companies that make the minimum statutory investment that either creates or retains the necessary number of jobs 
  • In addition to the state incentives, each zone offers distinctive local incentives to enhance business development projects