BRADLEY – Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced that global biotherapeutics leader CSL will invest nearly $1.5 billion to build a new manufacturing facility on the company’s Kankakee campus. The project will create 300 new full-time jobs and retain more than 1,200 existing positions.
CSL’s investment is one of the largest life sciences investments in the state’s history, reinforcing Illinois’ leadership in the sector and underscoring its commitment to supporting innovative companies seeking to grow or establish operations in the state.
“Illinois is leading the way in life sciences manufacturing, and CSL’s $1.5 billion investment is a powerful vote of confidence in our state,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “This expansion will create hundreds of well-paying jobs and strengthen national supply chains for critical therapies. CSL’s continued growth in Kankakee County is built on decades of innovation and manufacturing leadership right here in Illinois. We are proud to partner with CSL as they expand their presence and deepen their commitment to our state’s communities.”
“Behind every plasma-derived therapy is a person trying to live a more stable life, and a donor who made that therapy possible,” said Gordon Naylor, CSL’s interim CEO and president. “As the need for plasma-derived therapies continues to grow in the United States and around the world, expanding our Kankakee site further strengthens this key hub in our supply network. We thank our partners in government and our local community for supporting our mission to serve those who need these essential medicines.”
For her part, Mary Oates, executive vice president and chief operating officer of CSL, noted that the expansion will allow for the incorporation of innovative manufacturing processes and technologies to improve the efficiency of plasma-derived medicine production.
“These improvements will increase the protein yield per gram of plasma collected, strengthening Kankakee’s role as a vital site within our global network,” she explained.
The company will expand its presence in Illinois with the construction of a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility on its Kankakee campus. The goal is to increase production capacity for two of its leading immunoglobulin therapies: Privigen and Hizentra.
For the first time, this project will allow the company’s entire manufacturing process in the United States—from plasma collection to final packaging—to be carried out entirely within the country. Furthermore, it will position the Illinois facility to meet 100% of the U.S. demand for immunoglobulin therapies.
According to Kristin Richards, director of the Illinois Department of Economics and Opportunities (DCEO), the state’s continued success in attracting transformative investments is a result of its historical leadership in life sciences manufacturing and public policies designed to strengthen the sector.
“The state is driving capital investment, fostering innovation, and creating well-paying jobs that support long-term economic growth in communities across Illinois,” she said.
Illinois is currently home to more than 15,000 life sciences companies, encompassing biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and advanced manufacturing. The state also ranks among the top five in the nation for talent development in this field, ensuring that companies expanding in Illinois have access to a highly skilled workforce.
The Chicago region ranks tenth nationally in biopharmaceutical research and development employment and third in biopharmaceutical manufacturing talent, reinforcing the state’s position across the life sciences innovation chain.
As part of a comprehensive incentive package, CSL committed to investing $1.5 billion, creating at least 300 new full-time jobs, and maintaining more than 1,200 existing positions.
By 2025 alone, companies receiving incentives through state economic development programs committed to investing more than $13 billion and creating 3,000 new jobs, reflecting Illinois’ role as a major driver of investment and job creation statewide.
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