Data shows export growth in Illinois has outpaced the national average in several high tech sectors over the past few years. According to the latest issue of the Illinois Innovation Index, goods exports have increased 58.8 percent from $41.6 billion in 2009 to $66.1 billion in 2013, significantly outperforming the national average of 49.6 percent over the same timeframe.
The Index shows that the industries of precision instruments, pharmaceuticals, communications equipment, and magnetic and optical media had record export years in Illinois. In total, high-tech goods exports made up 20.2 percent of total goods exports from the state from 2009 to 2013.
While these numbers reflect positively on Illinois, there is still room for improvement, particularly among small to medium sized businesses. The Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce is working with World Business Chicago and other strategic partners in the region to develop strategies to promote export growth by connecting local companies with more global market opportunities.
Click here to read the full issue of the Illinois Innovation Index.