CSIM
Incentive Program

Illinois Live Theater Production Tax Credit

State20% transferable credit on qualified IL expenditures
What it is

20% transferable credit on qualified Illinois live-theater expenditures. Rules amended 12/4/2025 to add commercial Broadway touring shows and nonprofit theater categories with per-category caps.

Start with an address

Check an Address — Free Snapshot

See whether a specific Chicago address sits inside the area that unlocks Illinois Live Theater Production Tax Credit, alongside every other incentive that touches that parcel.

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Who it's for

Live-theater production companies with qualified Illinois expenditures including pre-Broadway runs, Broadway touring shows, and nonprofit theater.

Where it applies

Illinois Live Theater Production Tax Credit is administered at the state level. Depending on the program, eligibility may depend on the specific location, property type, or business activity rather than a single drawn boundary.

Boundaries are precise and change over time, so exact eligibility always depends on the specific address. The fastest way to know is to run a free snapshot for the parcel you have in mind.

What it can support

Typical range · 20% transferable credit on qualified IL expenditures

  • +20% transferable tax credit on qualified IL expenditures
  • +Now includes commercial Broadway touring and nonprofit theater categories
  • +Per-category caps apply
How to apply
  1. 1Pre-application with DCEO before production begins
  2. 2Track qualified expenditures
  3. 3File final credit application post-production
Fastest first move

Pre-apply with DCEO before production begins

What you'll need
  • Production budget
  • Qualified expenditure records
  • DCEO pre-approval
What to verify

This page is a starting point, not eligibility, legal, or tax advice. Verify current requirements, deadlines, and boundaries with the administering agency before applying or spending money — program rules and funding change over time.

Official source & contacts
Official program source ↗
Illinois DCEO (DCEO)

Last verified 2026-05-21

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Check an Address — Free Snapshot

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