Illinois Hydrogen & Tech Hub designation

This $1 billion award hopes to foster a healthy economic environment for the hydrogen production market and create clean energy jobs across the Midwest region. Along with Indiana and Michigan, Illinois was awarded this funding from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for a Midwest Hydrogen Hub, a network that enables decarbonization through strategic hydrogen use and could reduce carbon emissions by approximately 3.9 million metric tons per year. The Hub anticipates creating approximately 13,600 jobs and investing around $15 million into training and employment services.

It was also announced that two Illinois programs were designated as part of 31 Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs (Tech Hubs) – one in quantum and one in advanced biomanufacturing. The Tech Hubs Program is an economic development initiative designed to drive technology and innovation growth by strengthening a region's capacity to manufacture, commercialize, and deploy critical technologies. The program was enacted as part of the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 and will receive $10 billion in funding over five years.