Illinois Celebrates World Trade Month

By Editor | May 7, 2025 |

This May, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is celebrating World Trade Month. According to rankings by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Illinois continues to lead as the top exporting state in the Midwest and the fourth largest exporting state in the U.S. In 2024, Illinois had another record-breaking year, with exports exceeding $81 billion, a 2.5% increase from 2023 and a 32% increase since 2019.
Illinois’ central location, diverse industries, skilled workforce, and top infrastructure are why over 2,600 international companies call the state home. This convenient geographic location and proximity to airports, railways, and shipping ports has long been a leading global gateway, helping companies move their products to over 200 countries around the world, in particular to Canada, Mexico, Australia, China and Germany, which are Illinois’ top export markets.
“Illinois continues to lead as a global trade powerhouse, breaking export records year after year thanks to our talented workforce and strong trade relationships,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “With significant uncertainty caused by Trump’s reckless tariffs, Illinois is doubling down on strengthening our relationships with our foreign partners through trade missions, new agreements, and job-creating business deals. We will continue to fight for small businesses, farmers, and all Illinois companies who rely on strong supply chains and export business.”
In recent years, Illinois has prioritized strengthening relationships with foreign partners and companies in order to create jobs and boost Illinois businesses, which includes leading trade missions and entering into agreements. Earlier this year Governor Pritzker signed Memorandum of Understandings (MOUs) with the United Kingdom and the State of Mexico. The Governor has also led delegations to Japan, Canada, and Mexico in recent years as part of his commitment to promoting Illinois’ business, education, and manufacturing sectors on the global stage.
“Illinois continues to be a global economic leader,” said DCEO Director Kristin Richards. “DCEO is committed to creating and expanding international relationships that foster new economic development and job opportunities. Through engaging in international partnerships and supporting trade missions to countries around the world, Illinois is expanding opportunities for economic growth while showcasing all that our great state has to offer.”
Illinois also supports trade through DCEO’s Illinois State Trade and Export Promotion (ISTEP) Program, which offers eligible small business exporters technical and financial resources for international expansion initiatives, including exhibiting in foreign trade shows, marketing Illinois products to international buyers, achieving compliance and growing a localized e-commerce presence. This support helps businesses increase sales and create new jobs all while boosting Illinois’ international profile.
As the 18th largest economy in the world, valued at more than $1 trillion, Illinois plays a pivotal role on the global stage. Through a strong international network, including six regional foreign offices, DCEO’s Office of Trade and Investment has assisted with more than 1,600 company trade missions to countries around the world in order to grow export sales – supporting over 800,000 jobs in Illinois. The department serves as an important representative abroad, arranges business opportunities in key foreign markets, and supports Illinois businesses looking to start or expand global sales.
“International trade plays a foundational role in Illinois’ economy. We recognize and value the importance of multinational connections and collaboration,” said Intersect Illinois President and CEO Christy George. “Illinois is proud to export a diverse range of goods – electronics, transportation equipment, food and agricultural products – all over the world, and plays a central role in foreign trade as a crucial logistics hub and host to one of the world’s busiest airports.”
This week, Illinois hosted the 20th edition Americas Competitiveness Exchange (ACE) conference. ACE is the premier economic development, innovation, and entrepreneurial network of the Americas. Each year since 2014, ACE selects 50 global and regional leaders for a weeklong tour of selected states or regions to visit top innovation hubs, advanced research and technology centers, cutting-edge companies and business development organizations, and leading academic institutions.
ACE Illinois was led by the State’s Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the University of Illinois System, Intersect Illinois, the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce and World Business Chicago. Throughout the week, participants toured the state’s innovative projects and attended panels with industry experts centered around Illinois’ key-growth industries including advanced manufacturing; life sciences; next generation agriculture, agriculture tech and food processing; quantum computing, AI and microelectronics; energy production and manufacturing; and transportation, distribution and logistics.
ACE is a partnership between Organization of American States (OAS) Secretariat for Integral Development (OAS-SEDI), and the United States Government’s Department of Commerce (Economic Development Administration) and Department of State (U.S. Permanent Mission to the OAS). The previous 19 editions have been held in Armenia, Michigan, Seattle, Northern California, Chile, Argentina, Mexico, Canada, and Ecuador among many others, benefiting over 1,000 leaders from 42 countries and featuring more than 1,300 innovation and economic competitiveness projects.
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■ For more information and other resources available through the State of Illinois’ Office of Trade and Investment, visit exports.illinois.gov.