Chicago courts Hollywood studios with film tour, new tax incentives

Why it matters: Chicago is courting Hollywood decision-makers in hopes of attracting more movies, TV shows, production jobs and spending.

The latest: City leaders are calling it "Greenlight Chicago & Illinois," its first-ever film industry familiarization (FAM) tour.

Details: Chicago's Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) and the Chicago Film Office welcomed representatives from Amazon, Disney, Paramount Skydance, NBCUniversal and Netflix.

• The pitch: Chicago's studio infrastructure, experienced crews and, of course, iconic filming locations.
• The four-day visit culminates Friday with a breakfast featuring Mayor Brandon Johnson.

The big picture: Chicago has long been a Hollywood filming destination, but new state tax incentives could help attract even more productions.

• Gov. JB Pritzker signed legislation late last year increasing Illinois' film production tax credit from 30% to 35%.
• The package includes additional incentives for hiring local workers and a 5% bonus for environmentally friendly productions.
• It also lowers the minimum spending threshold for qualifying productions from $100,000 to $50,000, potentially opening the door to smaller, independent projects.

Zoom in: The Chicago Film Office says seven projects were in production in the city during the first quarter of 2026.

The intrigue: One highlight of the Hollywood visit is a tour of potential filming locations.

• From the lakefront and skyline to the CTA, the city has provided the backdrop for countless memorable movie and TV scenes.

Your turn: If you were giving Hollywood executives a tour of Chicago, where would you take them? Which locations deserve their close-up?

Answer our poll, and we'll share the results in a future newsletter.