Illinois ranked 12th in the 2026 CNBC ranking of America’s Top States for Business, one spot above its 2025 ranking and the state’s highest position since the study began in 2007. The annual report evaluates all 50 states across 138 metrics within 10 categories to determine competitiveness. Illinois earned high marks in infrastructure (3^rd), education (7^th), and access to capital (12^th), while scoring lower in areas such as business friendliness (44^th), cost of living (41^st), and workforce (31^st).

 

Illinois was long near the bottom of CNBC’s rankings, but since Gov. JB Pritzker took office in 2019, the state has climbed 18 spots.A press release from Pritzker’s Officeattributes this rise to several policy achievements, including 10 credit rating upgrades, paying down $17B in debt, and investing in Illinois’ education, infrastructure, and site readiness, among other programs.

 

Relative to the 2025 rankings, the most significant gains came in the economy (29^th) and infrastructure (3^rd) categories, where Illinois improved by 15 and 5 places, respectively. The jump in Illinois’ economy ranking reflects GDP growth, credit rating improvements, and the elimination of the state’s long-term bill backlog. Under Gov. JB Pritzker, Illinois’ GDP grew to $1.23T, up from $895B in 2019. Illinois’ infrastructure improvement reflects the 2025 $50.6B investment, the largest in state history, building on the Rebuild Illinois Capital Plan. Additionally, CNBC added ease of permitting as a factor in its infrastructure rankings, since companies want strategic locations that provide efficient access to customers, suppliers, connectivity, and computing power. CNBC argues that states able to implement such changes quickly are better positioned to support business growth.

 

Conversely, Illinois dropped 12 places from 2025 in the workforce category (31^st), its lowest ranking in this metric since 2020. This category factors in each state’s concentration of STEM workers, work productivity based on economic output per job, and how successful it is at attracting talent at all levels. One factor influencing the decline in the state’s workforce ranking is Illinois’ unemployment rate, which rose over the last year to 5.1% in April 2026, a 12.7% increase from the prior year. Recent immigration trends have also contributed to the decline: Illinois experienced domestic outmigration throughout the early 2020s, and international immigration—the main driver of the state’s recent population growth—has since slowed due to recent federal immigration policy changes.

 

CNBC considers Illinois to have become a more attractive place to do business in recent years, now ranking 5^thamong Midwestern states. Ohio (1^st), Minnesota (5^th), Michigan (6^th), and Indiana (10^th) rank ahead of Illinois, while Iowa (19^th), Wisconsin (22^nd), and Missouri (38^th) rank below Illinois in the region. Among larger states nationally, North Carolina (2^nd), Texas (4^th), Georgia (7^th), and Florida (8^th) rank above Illinois, while Pennsylvania (13^th), California (17^th), and New York (18^th) fall below.

 

Important Upcoming Dates – Statewide

November 3– Illinois General Election

November 17-19– Veto Session Week 1

December 1-3– Veto Session Week 2

 

In the News

Corbett ends second quarter with more cash on hand than Bailey after $500,000 loan to his own campaign–The Daily Line, July 17, 2026

Gov. JB Pritzker leads the gubernatorial candidates with cash on hand after the first half of 2026. Independent candidate Collin Corbett ended the second quarter with more cash on hand than Republican nominee Darren Bailey — largely thanks to a $500,000 loan to his own campaign.

 

Illinois House Speaker Welch’s office knew of harassment claims against disgraced state Rep. Benton years ago–Chicago Tribune, July 17, 2026

The revelations from a female lobbyist and an ex-Benton staffer not only shed new light on the scandal surrounding the former two-term lawmaker, they also echo one of the most turbulent chapters in Illinois political history.

 

Illinois state Rep. Carol Ammons and husband, Champaign Clerk Aaron Ammons, plead not guilty to federal charges–Chicago Tribune, July 16, 2026

Six-term Democratic state Rep. Carol Ammons and her husband, Champaign County Clerk Aaron Ammons, each pleaded not guilty Thursday to federal charges handed up earlier this month by a grand jury.

 

Northwest Indiana unions vow to oppose politicians who don’t back Bears stadium food tax–NWI, July 15, 2026

Northwest Indiana’s trade unions expect that a new Chicago Bears stadium in Hammond will mean thousands of construction jobs for years to come.

 

State board of elections votes to not certify Green Party candidates over lack of signatures–The Daily Line, July 15, 2026

Independent gubernatorial candidate Collin Corbett will officially appear on the November ballot after the Illinois State Board of Elections voted to accept the withdrawal of a challenge to his petition Tuesday.

 

Pritzker signs property tax debt sale fix into law–The Daily Line, July 15, 2026

Gov. JB Pritzker signed 31 bills into law last week, including a measure allowing homeowners to recoup excess home equity from a property tax debt sale.

 

Illinois could have to pay $550 million in SNAP benefits if error rate is not lowered, Civic Federation report finds–The Daily Line, July 14, 2026

Illinois could have to pay $550 million in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits annually if the state’s error rate is not improved.

 

Darren Bailey’s attack on Pritzker’s yearbook sparks criticism –AXIOS Chicago, July 14, 2026

Republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey is facing criticism after attacking Gov. JB Pritzker over decades-old high school yearbook photos.

 

8th House candidate Franklin introduces herself to local Dems–Austin Weekly News, July 14, 2026

After a remarkably strong performance in the March 17 Democratic primary, where she out-polled the closest of her three opponents by more than 20%, Franklin faces no Republican challenger in the Nov. 3 general election.

 

Illinois elections board judge recommends Mayra Macías’ name not be on 4th Congressional District ballot–Chicago Tribune, July 13, 2026

A hearing officer for the state Board of Elections is recommending to the board that independent candidate Mayra Macías be blocked from running for Illinois’ 4th Congressional District in the contest to succeed retiring U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García.

 

Mayoral speculation abound as Giannoulias drops new campaign ads–WGN9, July 13, 2026

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias’ campaign released two new commercials on Monday, highlighting his focus on modernizing the office as he seeks reelection to his current post in November.

 

Illinois moves up to 12th in new business ranking–Pontiac Daily Leader, July 13, 2026

A new report has ranked Illinois among the best states in the nation for business.

 

Immigration arrests near county courthouses still persist, despite state law–Chicago Tribune, July 12, 2026

In December, Gov. JB Pritzker signed into law a ban on federal agents making certain arrests near courthouses and easing a path for individuals to sue if they think their rights were violated during civil immigration arrests.

 

Homeowner, auto insurance reform bills arrive on Pritzker’s desk–Capitol City Now, July 12, 2026

The Illinois Insurance Association told WAND News this change could cause homeowner insurance premiums to increase up to 20% or $230.

 

Illinois House GOP triggers committee investigation after federal indictment of Democratic Rep. Carol Ammons–Chicago Tribune, July 10, 2026

The Illinois House is launching a special committee to investigate longtime state Rep. Carol Ammons after the Urbana Democrat’s recent indictment on federal wire fraud and obstruction charges, a move forced by members of the chamber’s Republican superminority.

 

At mid-year budget hearing, leaders equivocate on commitment to fulfill supplemental pension payment–The Daily Line, July 17, 2026

Leaders from the city’s budget and finance offices told alderpeople they are no longer sure when the city will make the other half of a supplemental payment into the city’s pension funds, months after the payment was split due to delays in the receipt of county property tax revenues.

 

‘Hazardous’ Canadian wildfire smoke prompts air quality warning for Chicago. Here’s what you should know–Chicago Tribune, July 16, 2026

The hazy smoke, which also carries a strong smell, has moved in from Canada. The alert is in effect through midnight Friday, according to the National Weather Service.

 

Alexi Giannoulias TV ads fuel speculation about Chicago mayoral run–AXIOS Chicago,July 16, 2026

Twonew campaign adstout Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias’ accomplishments but never ask Illinoisans to reelect him — fueling speculation about a possible Chicago mayoral run.

 

Chicago’s top mayoral aides pull back on promise to make second half of pension advance in full–Chicago Sun-Times,July 16, 2026

Acting Chief Financial Officer Steve Mahr said the city is conducting an analysis to determine when and how much it can afford to pay of the $130 million that remains on the $260 million pension advance at the center of the budget battle.

 

Layoffs on table due to budget shortfall, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson administration officials say–Chicago Tribune,July 16, 2026

Mayor Brandon Johnson’s budget team put city employee layoffs on the table Thursday to help close a budget deficit they said could reach $90 million through the end of this year.

 

With mayoral race looming, Mayor Johnson falls further behind Giannoulias in fundraising–Chicago Sun-Times, July 15, 2026

The latest fundraising reports filed with the Illinois State Board of Elections show the first-term mayor raised $109,000 and spent $290,000 in the second quarter of 2026.

 

ShotSpotter, festival venue advance for Chicago ballot as other questions stall–Crain’s Chicago Business, July 15, 2026

Chicagoans will be asked in November if they want the city to bring back gunshot detection technology and build a permanent outdoor festival space, but it’s unclear if questions about city finances and federal immigration enforcement will be on the ballot as the City Council took turns blocking non-binding ballot referendum questions today.

 

Chicago’s Air Quality Among Worst In The World As Wildfire Smoke Hits–Block Club Chicago, July 15, 2026

Smoke and other pollution will make the air quality so unhealthy that it could be hazardous to anyone, officials said. The issues could continue into Friday.

 

Council to consider TIF assistance for The 78, measure banning city employees from insider betting in prediction markets, new health commissioner–The Daily Line, July 15, 2026

The City Council on Wednesday could give final approval to hundreds of millions of tax increment financing (TIF) dollars to assist with the infrastructure around the new Chicago Fire soccer stadium development in the South Loop, an ordinance clarifying that city employees may not place bets on sites like Kalshi or Polymarket using proprietary information and the appointment of a new health commissioner.

 

Johnson’s bid to reclaim CHA control stalls as City Council blocks board picks–Crain’s Chicago Business, July 15, 2026

Opponents of Mayor Brandon Johnson blocked three board appointments to the Chicago Housing Authority today, curtailing the mayor’s ability to regain influence over the agency.

 

Key City Panel Gives Green Light to $425M Subsidy for Chicago Fire Stadium Site–WTTW, July 13, 2026

Efforts to build a 22,000-seat stadium for the Chicago Fire soccer team advanced Monday with a vote by a key city panel to use $425 million from the area’s Tax Increment Financing districts to subsidize the project.

 

Finance Committee stalls showdown vote on sale of Chicago parking meters–Chicago Sun-Times, July 13, 2026

Budget Committee Chair Jason Ervin (28th) wants to use the delay to push an alternative plan to create a public infrastructure trust similar to the one created, then abandoned, by former Mayor Rahm Emanuel to acquire the parking meters.

 

West Loop TIF funds to back infrastructure around Chicago Fire FC stadium–Crain’s Chicago Business, July 13, 2026

Chicago officials plan to redirect $287 million of West Loop property tax revenue for infrastructure surrounding Chicago Fire FC’s new stadium at the 78, a shift poised to help jumpstart the South Loop megaproject and reduce risk for developer Related Midwest.