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SCAM ALERT: DCEO has been made aware of organizations receiving fraudulent “notice of award” letters claiming to be from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. These are not legitimate notices from DCEO. If your organization receives a notice, please report it to the Federal Trade Commission and/or the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.

Illinois Northern Stateline Region

Regional Hubs

  • Rockford
  • Belvidere
  • Freeport
  • Machesney Park
  • Loves Park
  • Roscoe
  • Rochelle
  • South Beloit
  • Rockton

Counties

  • Winnebago
  • Boone
  • Ogle
  • Stephenson

Key Industries

  • Food Processing & Manufacturing
  • Healthcare
  • Professional Business Services
  • Logistics
  • Aerospace
  • Automotive

Major Employers and Headquarters

Large Employers:

Corporate HQ:

Higher Education

Unique Facts

  • Population 436,000; Workforce 228,600
  • Rockford MSA 4,000+ engineers (30% more than the national average), and more than 56,000 engineers located within 90 miles
  • Rockford has 6th largest concentration of aerospace employment in the nation; 250+ aerospace companies located within 90-mile radius of Rockford (GE Aviation, Woodward, Collins Aerospace Systems)
  • In 2019, RFD was named the Fastest-Growing Cargo Airport in the world by Airports Council International
  • Northern Stateline Region is known as “The Screw Capital of the World" due its specialization in manufacturing fasteners and has attracted a diverse range of advanced manufacturers in sectors including aerospace and automotive
  • Chicagoland Skydiving Center located at Rochelle Municipal airport in Rochelle voted best place to skydive in the Midwest
  • Freeport is known for hosting the second Lincoln-Douglas debate of 1858, and as "Pretzel City, USA", due to a popular local German bakery known for its pretzels in the 1850s
  • Belvidere, the “City of Murals,” began with ten murals created in downtown Belvidere in June of 1997 during a “Wall Dog” festival initiated by the Belvidere Chamber of Commerce
  • Great transportation methods:

Region Specific Assistance

Dominic Meneghetti
Northern Stateline Region Manager
779-771-3921
dominic.f.meneghetti@illinois.gov

The Illinois Department of Commerce is Your One-Stop Resource

  • Site Selection
  • Customized Workforce Training
  • Regional & Local Collaboration
  • Expedited Permitting, Licensing & Other Approvals
  • Connection to Key Stakeholders and Civic & Business Partners
  • Potential Financial Support
  • And more!