2016-17 Season Sees Record Episodic Television Filming in Illinois

CHICAGO – Television production in Illinois continues to grow with the addition of four new shows, doubling the number of episodic television productions filming in Illinois. The new shows include NBC’s “Chicago Justice,” Fox’s “THE EXORCIST” and “APB,” and Amazon’s “Patriot.”
 
“We are thrilled ‘Chicago Justice,’ ‘THE EXORCIST,’ ‘APB’ and ‘Patriot’ have joined the Illinois film community,” Illinois Film Office Director Christine Dudley said. “We continue to see robust growth in episodic television, as productions recognize the incredible value our state offers, with experienced actors and crew, diverse locations, established production infrastructure, and a stable tax credit program. These shows will create great jobs and new opportunities for the continued growth of Illinois’ creative arts economy.”
 
The new productions join hit shows “EMPIRE,” (Fox) “Chicago Fire,” “Chicago P.D.,” and “Chicago Med” (NBC). Episodic television production, in conjunction with film and advertising, generated $330 million in revenue 2015 and created thousands of jobs for Illinois residents. Illinois is the only state that requires productions to demonstrate a commitment to diversity as part of their film tax credit application in order to increase opportunities for traditionally underrepresented groups, including African Americans, Latinos and women. In 2016, the Illinois Film Office reported that minority groups comprised nearly 50 percent of crew and production hires, an increase of six points over the previous year’s report.
 
“Chicago has proven to be an incredible resource of compelling stories that resonate with viewers,” said Peter Jankowski, President Wolf Entertainment. “We are proud to contribute to the economic health of such a great city and state.  Through the 2016-17 season, the trilogy of Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D. and Chicago Med will have generated 5,600 direct and indirect jobs in Illinois and have had an estimated $800 million economic impact across the state.  Now, the introduction of Chicago Justice, will only add to this exciting economic story.”
 
"We’ve had a long  history with the state of Illinois and the Film  Office, dating all the way back to PRISON BREAK which began in 2005,” commented 20th Century Fox TV Executive Vice President of Production Jim Sharp. “Our experience on that series was exceptional, the crews were skilled, the city of Chicago was supportive, and the tax benefit was reliable. Years later our number 1 series, EMPIRE was created there, and continues to shoot in the world class facility, Cinespace. Now we’re bringing THE EXORCIST and APB, and in both instances, Chicago was our No. 1 choice. We’re excited at the potential of these two projects to become our next long running series.”
 
“Chicago Justice,” the fourth installment of Dick Wolf’s Chicago series will film this summer, premiering early next year, and will chronicle the cases pursued by the State’s Attorney’s prosecutors and investigators. “THE EXORCIST,” a reinvention of the original 1971 novel by William Peter Blatty, featuring Geena Davis will premiere September 23 on FOX.  “APB,” a futuristic police drama set in Chicago, and “Patriot,” written and directed by Illinois resident Steve Conrad, are currently in production.
 
The Illinois Film Office markets Illinois as a location for film, television and advertising production, and serves as the film industry’s gateway to government, providing assistance with everything from location scouting, production services and vendors, to working with local unions and guilds. The Film Office also administers the Illinois Film Production Tax Credit in order to promote growth, job opportunities and diversity in Illinois’ film industry.