Illinois Ranks High for Workforce Development, Lags in Business Climate and Manufacturing

CHICAGO – Site Selection Magazine has named Illinois one of the top states in the nation for Workforce Development, but the Land of Lincoln is nowhere near the top for Business Climate or manufacturing. Site Selection surveyed 30 national site consultants and found that Texas received the most votes for Best Business Climate in America and best state for manufacturing projects. The magazine named Illinois third in the nation for workforce development in 2026. The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin metro ranked fourth in the North American Tech Hub Index.