About the Economic Research Center
The Illinois EDC Economic Research Center (ERC) is a dedicated in-house research and analytics arm designed to produce original data, applied economic analysis, and market intelligence that can inform business decisions, public policy, and economic development strategy.
The ERC serves as a centralized source of high-quality, Illinois-specific analysis—providing timely insights on workforce trends, industry growth, global competitiveness, and regional economic performance. The suite of resources will include public-facing insights, flagship publications like the quarterly Illinois EDC Data Book, and a new white paper series offering deeper exploration of issues shaping Illinois’ competitiveness.
Featured Research
The State of Business
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Data Detective
Chart of the Month
Research Areas
Decisions are only as good as the data behind them. From geospatial mapping to workforce analytics, our research areas are designed to provide actionable insights that help businesses, communities, and leaders turn information into economic impact.
Labor Market Information (LMI) & Workforce
Navigate the complexities of the modern workforce. We provide deep-dive analysis into Illinois’ talent pipelines, wage trends, and skills gaps, helping businesses and policymakers align human capital with industry demand.
Geospatial Analysis
Visualize the economic landscape. Through advanced GIS mapping and spatial data, we identify strategic locations, infrastructure assets, and regional clusters to help you see where opportunity lives and how to leverage it.
Custom Regional Research Products
Data tailored to your unique objectives. We produce specialized reports—from economic impact studies to localized feasibility analyses—designed to answer your specific questions and support your proprietary business cases.
Regional Strategic Planning Assistance
Data-driven roadmaps for regional success. We partner with local stakeholders to facilitate planning efforts, providing the foundational metrics and benchmarks needed to build resilient, long-term economic development strategies.
Industry Trends
Anticipate the shifts that define our economy. We track emerging sectors and global market shifts to provide a forward-looking view of Illinois’ key industries, ensuring our partners are prepared for what’s next.
Stay updated with the latest research
Don’t wait for the next big report. Subscribe to the Illinois Business Beat to receive monthly emerging market trends, special posts like "Data Detective," and exclusive research updates delivered straight to your inbox. Stay ahead of the curve with the data that moves Illinois forward.
Meet the Research Team
Meet the minds behind the metrics. The ERC team is committed to delivering clarity in a world of complex data. In concert with marketing and communications, we produce the reports, guides, and toolkits that our partners rely on to foster innovation and job creation. From deep-dive white papers to executive one-pagers, our goal is to provide the intelligence you need to move the needle on economic development.
Coming Soon: Mapping the Quantum Frontier
How is Illinois preparing for the Quantum revolution? The ERC is currently in the 'lab' finalizing a series of high-impact research projects in partnership with the Illinois Science and Technology Coalition (ISTC).
From specialized SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) analysis to our upcoming Quantum Workforce White Paper, we are defining the roles, skills, and economic opportunities that will cement Illinois as a global quantum hub.
Report
Collaborative Data Initiative with ISTC: Benchmarking our state's innovation with a Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) Report.
Conference
National Thought Leadership: Presenting our original SOC analysis and workforce data at the C2ER Conference.
White Paper
The ERC Quantum White Paper: A groundbreaking guide to the talent needs of the future.
