McHenry Times

Republican Illinois State Sen. Craig Wilcox threw his support behind the state's Blue Collar Jobs Act on May 19th. 

The Blue Collar Jobs Act program supports large-scale economic development by providing income tax credits to companies that make substantial capital investments in Illinois. 

The tax credits are built around the wages paid out to construction workers employed on eligible projects.

The act was originally included in the 2019 budget, but was suspended by Gov. JB Pritzker in 2021, Wilcox said.

“The reinstatement of this Act is a definite step in the right direction for a state that has developed a reputation over time as being extremely business unfriendly,” Wilcox said. “Rather than placing additional burdens on our job creators, we are finally putting businesses first, and providing them with incentives to build, stay, grow, and thrive in Illinois.”

Wilcox said he believes the plan will promote the relocation of businesses to the state of Illinois.

“I would encourage all entrepreneurs to look at Illinois when choosing where to take their capital investment,” Wilcox said in a press release. “Helping middle-class families by providing good jobs with decent wages is incredibly important, and the Blue Collar Jobs Act will go far in accomplishing that goal.” 

To be eligible for tax credits, a company must be located in an Enterprise Zone or a River Edge Redevelopment Zone, or designated as a High Impact Business, or have an agreement under the auspices of the Economic Development for a Growing Economy Program. Each pre-requisite program has its own job creation and capital investment minimums and requirements.

The Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO) will host a public technical assistance webinar on BCJA program application and processes on Monday, June 26, 2023, from 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. Click on this link to sign up and RSVP.