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Economic Impact of Health Research

Investment: Funding sources for overall research and development (2007)

Source of R&D Funding InvestmentState Rank
Federal Government$2,326,000,000 13
Industry$11,211,000,0007
Universities$497,000,0004
Non-profit$120,000,0007
Other *$134,000,0009
Total$14,287,000,0008

* Other represents funding from state and local governments and funding for Federally Funded Research and Development Centers from non-federal sources.

Source: National Science Foundation, National Patterns of R&D Resources, 2008


Population (2008)

 Residents State Rank
Population, July 1, 2008 12,842,954

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Population Estimates, 2009


Economic Impact: Statistics for research-driven health industries (2008)

Industry EmploymentAnnual Salary
Pharmaceutical 18,533$108,885
Medical Device14,296
$84,237
Research, Testing, and Laboratories14,756
$81,581
Overall Private Sector5,021,352
$48,986

Source: Battelle and Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), BIO State Bioscience Initiatives, 2010


Highlights from local economic impact studies

A 2007 study by FamiliesUSA, In Your Own Backyard, shows that NIH funding for Illinois generated $1,848,000,000 of business activity and 11,914 new jobs.The report also highlights why global health matters to Illinois.


The Association of American Medical Colleges reports that the member medical schools and teaching hospitals in the state had a combined economic impact of $25.5 billion (ranked 7th in the country) and a total employment impact of 147,200 in 2008.

The University of Illinois system has an economic impact of $7 billion on the state economy and generates 102,000 jobs in the state. Researchers have started 48 companies, obtained more than 230 patents, and disclosed 1,200 technologies.

The Illinois Medical District (IMD) generates $3.3 billion in economic activity and supports 50,000 jobs. The IMD also generates $220 million in research each year and serves as an incubator for about 30 technology-based companies.