Multiple television favorites set against an Illinois backdrop recently won renewal for the 2018-19 season, with approval given to FOX’s “Empire” and NBC’s trio of Chicago shows including “Chicago P.D.,” “Chicago Med,” and “Chicago Fire.”
Thanks in part to actors and writers with ties to the area — including Noah Wyle — another three pilots have already aired, with expectations of possible further episodes; additionally, several cable-based series set in Illinois will join the lineup.
New Chicago-themed series include “Red Line” on CBS; “Proven Innocent” on FOX and “South Side” from Comedy Central; while renewals encompass “The Chi” (20th Century Fox/Showtime) and “Easy” (Netflix). A spinoff of “Suits” called “Second City” will return on USA Network as well.
“The 2018-2019 television season is bringing great investment to the Illinois film community," Illinois FILM Office Director Christine Dudley said. “These … shows have helped cement our state as a film production hub, and we are thrilled to welcome them back for the upcoming season. Outside of our perennial shows, we are also openly recruiting new projects to our production pipeline to increase opportunities and jobs.”
Since the Illinois Film Tax Credit program began, the state has witnessed increased entertainment business, with the industry spending and hiring more than $1 billion worth of programming and paid staff, according to Gov. Bruce Rauner's administration.
“The goal of the Tax Credit Act is to grow, sustain and provide economic and job opportunities for local vendors, crew and filmmakers,” Illinois Department of Commerce Media Relations director Jacquelyn Reineke said.
The 30 percent credit is extended to film projects investing in Illinois goods, services and resident wages.
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