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Economic Impact of Health Research

Investment: Funding sources for overall research and development (2005)

Source of R&D Funding InvestmentState Rank
Federal Government$2,314,000,000 12
Industry$9,560,000,0007
Universities$421,000,0004
Non-profit$107,000,0008
Other *$118,000,0009
Total$12,520,000,0008

* 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, 2007


Population (2006)

 Residents State Rank
Population, July 1, 2006 12,777,042 

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Population Estimates, 2008


Economic Impact: Statistics for research-driven health industries (2006)

Industry EmploymentAnnual Salary
Pharmaceutical 19,084$93,198
Medical Device13,123
$67,501
Research, Testing, and Laboratories13,262
$83,779
Overall Private Sector5,013,506
$45,866

Source: Battelle and Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), Technology Talent and Capital: State Bioscience Initiatives 2008


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 $23.9 billion (ranked 7th in the country) and a total employment impact of 144,200 in 2005.

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.