Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced the ranking, noting Illinois improved from No. 2 in the Midwest and No. 4 nationally in the previous year’s report.
“Illinois’ rise to the top of workforce development rankings reflects our commitment to building the strongest talent pipeline in the nation,” Pritzker said. “We’re aligning education and training with the real needs of employers so people can get good jobs and companies can confidently invest and expand right here in Illinois.”
The workforce development rankings are based on an updated index that measures credentials, certificates and degrees, technical skills, productivity and return on investment for both employees and employers. The index combines data from organizations including the Bureau of Labor Statistics, SkillsUSA, the Lumina Foundation, ACT and Strada.
“As Illinois comes off a record year of economic growth, the latest economic development rankings are solidifying Illinois’ position as a global economic powerhouse,” said DCEO Director Kristin Richards. “With continued investments in workforce development, record-breaking investments incentivized through DCEO programs, and a collaborative effort to target emerging industries, momentum is building in Illinois.”
Site Selection Magazine also ranked the Chicago–Naperville–Elgin metropolitan area No. 4 in its 2026 North American Tech Hub Index, up from No. 6 in 2025. The publication said the ranking evaluates tech infrastructure, talent metrics and corporate facility projects across industries such as software development, data centers and telecommunications.
“Illinois is consistently investing in economic development in the ways it matters most, such as investing in its people. From apprenticeships to advanced manufacturing academies to world class universities and innovative industry partnerships, Illinois is building a steady workforce pipeline,” said Illinois Economic Development Corporation President and CEO Christy George. “Just as Illinois’ recognition for workforce development is well deserved, so too is the award for Cronus–a project that exemplifies the remarkable results of collaboration, our commitment to reducing emissions, and Illinois’ strength in agriculture, manufacturing, and job creation.”
In addition, Business Facilities recognized DCEO and Team Illinois — a collaboration among the Governor’s Office, DCEO, Illinois EDC and other partners — with a 2025 Impact Award for efforts to bring Cronus Chemicals to Tuscola, a project credited with strengthening the state’s economy and creating jobs.
State officials also cited Illinois’ broader economic gains, including 10 credit rating upgrades since 2021 and $13 billion in incentivized investments in 2025. Those investments support growth in emerging industries such as quantum technology, electric vehicle manufacturing, clean energy production and next-generation agriculture.
Illinois continues to expand workforce training through apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs. The state has more than 450 registered apprenticeship programs serving nearly 22,000 apprentices. In 2025, DCEO awarded $10 million through the Apprenticeship Expansion Competitive Grant Program, supporting more than 740 pre-apprentices and over 1,100 registered apprentices.
Launched in 2021, the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program aims to increase access to good-paying trade jobs for historically underrepresented populations. Participation in the program has increased 86 percent since its first year, with an additional $19 million awarded in 2025 to support 38 organizations and nearly 1,900 pre-apprentices statewide.