Illinois
Separated by Lake Michigan, trade and travel within the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence region have historically formed the backbone of strong people-to-people ties between Canada and Illinois. Today, trade and investment in sectors from finance and transportation to agriculture have contributed to bringing us even closer together.
$15.8 billion
114,238
Heavy machinery
Professional
Summary
Illinois sells more goods to Canada than to its next two largest markets combined – Mexico and Australia. In fact, Canada ranks in the top three of exports for 92 of the 101 goods services. Canada was also the sole source of key energy exports from Illinois (crude oil and natural gas).
Meanwhile, Canada sells nearly double to Illinois than to China, its largest foreign export market after the United States. But importance of the trade relationship becomes evident when you dig deeper into the numbers. Canada accounts for most of Illinois’ imports of inputs used by its manufacturing sector, which comprises nearly ten percent of the workforce, and by builders.
Canadian trade and investment supports more than 114,000 jobs and Canada’s presence in Illinois is seen across the state in a range of sectors. In 2018, subsidiaries of Canadian-owned firms employed 37,800 workers.
Illinois sells more goods to Canada than to its next two largest markets combined – Mexico and Australia. Meanwhile, Canada sells nearly double to Illinois than to China, its largest foreign export market after the United States.
Despite not sharing a land border, trade and travel within the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence region have formed the backbone of strong people-to-people and economic ties. From finance and transportation to agriculture and automotive, free trade and investment have brought us even closer together. Illinois is also home to approximately 400 Canadian-owned businesses that support nearly 50,000 workers and their families.
No small potatoes
With its headquarters in Oakbrook Terrace employing a team of more than 350 people, McCain Foods USA is a leading supplier of frozen potato and snack food products in the United States. It has eleven production facilities and approximately 3,800 employees across the country. Its parent company operates in 160 countries and produces one-quarter of the world’s french fries.
Safe and secure energy supplier
Canada supplies 70 percent of Illinois’ energy needs with much of this supply coming from Enbridge. With 100 employees based in Illinois and nearly 4,000 across the Unites States, Enbridge’s operating expenditures in the state totalled USD 426.9 million and it invested USD 205 million in capital expenditures. But its presence in the Illinois is also felt by its support for charitable organizations and causes that support health and safety, the environment, and stronger communities.
“The synergies that generate a true competitive advantage for North American energy are the same ones that allow us to invest heavily in Illinois communities, and provide funds for equipment and training for emergency first responders, and for numerous scholarships, student programs and partnerships we’ve built across the state. It’s part of a winning combination for both our nations – and for the industries and people we serve.”
Al Monaco, President and CEO, Enbridge
Investing in the people of Illinois
Headquartered in Chicago for more 160 years, BMO Harris Bank provides a broad range of personal and commercial banking products while employing over 15,00 people across the country. In the footsteps of its parent company’s ethos of “growing the good,” it contributed USD 18 million to charitable causes in the United States over the past year – including organizations supporting social and racial justice – and provided USD 679 million in loans to support affordable housing, economic development and community services.
A North American transportation hub
Located in the heart of the Midwest, Chicago has historically been one of North America’s most important transportation hubs. It is not a surprise that CN routes from across the continent converge on the city. CN employs approximately 1,825 people in Illinois and its location in the Chicago suburb of Homewood is home to a world-class training centre. Over the past five years, CN has invested more than USD 1.3 billion in capital expenditures across the state.
“Sustained long term investment in our infrastructure is something every part of our country needs. Illinois has been blessed with freight rail partners, like CN, who year after year contribute hundreds of millions of dollars of private investment in our state.”
Mike Hastings, Illinois State Senator, the 19th Senate District
Summary
Illinois sells more goods to Canada than to its next two largest markets combined – Mexico and Australia. In fact, Canada ranks in the top three of exports for 92 of the 101 goods services. Canada was also the sole source of key energy exports from Illinois (crude oil and natural gas).
Meanwhile, Canada sells nearly double to Illinois than to China, its largest foreign export market after the United States. But importance of the trade relationship becomes evident when you dig deeper into the numbers. Canada accounts for most of Illinois’ imports of inputs used by its manufacturing sector, which comprises nearly ten percent of the workforce, and by builders.
Canadian trade and investment supports more than 114,000 jobs and Canada’s presence in Illinois is seen across the state in a range of sectors. In 2018, subsidiaries of Canadian-owned firms employed 37,800 workers.
