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December 16, 2025
10:00AM - 11:00AM CST
High Impact Opportunity Zones in Illinois
Virtual
High Impact Opportunity Zones in Illinois | December 16 | 10 AM CT
The federal Opportunity Zones program has rapidly grown into the largest federal community development incentive program in a generation. Opportunity Zones are an economic development tool that encourages investment in distressed areas that usually cannot attract new business, capital developments, or other social investments. Opportunity Zones (established under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 and made permanent in the OBBBA) allow investors to have significant tax benefits. Increasing incentives for investment in communities in need allows for economic growth and job creation. If done properly with community-driven workforce initiatives, households can increase their income and quality of life.
Economic Innovation Group (EIG) has just published OZs 2.0 Guidance for Governors and Mayors: A Playbook for High-Impact Designations. The guide aims to give state and local officials the clarity and confidence they need to make informed selections for the next round of Opportunity Zone census tracts.
Join Illinois Extension to learn about the specific principles that define successful OZ designation strategies, as well as considerations on how to increase the quantity, quality, and committed capital for Illinois' low-income communities.
