Chicago courts Hollywood studios with film tour, new tax incentives

Chicago is rolling out the red carpet for Hollywood this week, welcoming representatives from major production companies to pitch the city as a destination for future filming.

In short, the city is showing off.

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.