Illinois International Port District supports $820.4 million in economic activity, over 6,381 jobs

| Sep 14 2018 at 09:41 AM | Ports & Terminals

Washington, DC - The Great Lakes Seaway Partnership announces the release of Economic Impacts of the Port of Chicago, a report documenting the many contributions made by the Illinois International Port District (IIPD) and Great Lakes Seaway Shipping to the City of Chicago, Cook County, State of Illinois and Great Lakes region. The study reports that in 2017 the IIPD and maritime commerce supported:

6,381 jobs
$820.4 million in economic activity
$514.8 million in personal income and local consumption expenditures
$192.6 million in federal and state tax revenue

“The Illinois International Port District handles more general cargo than any other port on the Great Lakes, with an annual total tonnage of over 19 million tons, maintaining Chicago’s place among the top 36 ports in the nation. This report focuses on the significant economic impact that the greatest multimodal facility in North America has on the Great Lakes region,” says Clayton Harris III, Executive Director, Illinois International Port District. “Further, this data proves that multimodal commerce is vital for a prosperous economy and the Port District is an essential economic engine and catalyst for job creation in Chicagoland and beyond. The Port of Chicago truly brings the world markets to Chicago’s doorstep and Chicago’s products to the world.”

“The 6,381 jobs and $820.4 million in economic activity that the Illinois International Port Authority supported through maritime commerce in 2017 showcases the great impact that the Port has on our community. These impressive results bring its mission to life in igniting jobs and economic vitality for Chicago,” said Susan Sadlowski Garza, Alderman, Ward 10, Chicago City Council.

The study reflects the important contributions the Illinois International Port District provides to the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Region,” says Steven A. Fisher, Executive Director of the American Great Lakes Ports Association. “The jobs supported by the maritime industry include not only those located directly on the waterfront – shipyard workers, stevedores, vessel operators, terminal employees, truck drivers and marine pilots – but also grain farmers, construction works, miners and steelworkers. Many of these jobs would vanish if not for a dynamic maritime industry.”

The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway Navigation System

Economic Impacts of the Port of Chicago is a companion report to the broader Great Lakes-St. Lawrence study titled Economic Impacts of Maritime Shipping in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Region, a year-long study of the economic impacts of the entire Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway navigation system. The study reports that in 2017 in Illinois, maritime commerce supported: