Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced Regional Site Readiness Program awards totaling $35 million to support site readiness activities at 22 sites across Illinois. Photo: Adobe Stock/Kristina generated by AIThe Regional Site Readiness Program builds upon the state’s efforts to support communities and landowners in their site readiness planning, assessments, and infrastructure improvements. “The State’s investments in the Regional Site Readiness Program are preparing sites for business across all 10 of our Economic Development Regions,” said DCEO Director Kristin Richards. The Regional Site Readiness Program recipients were selected through a competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) that was open to local governments, economic development organizations, and private landowners. Following Governor Pritzker doubling the funding available for the Regional Site Readiness Program, the first wave of round two awards was announced in April 2026.