G-Rod Signs Illinois Filmmakers Tax Credit Bill

By Rob Christopher in News on May 27, 2008 6:17PM

Two months after the bill landed on his desk, the Guv signed it into law today with a photo op ceremony at Loop landmark Italian Village. So why the delay in signing the bill? The speculation is that G-Rod previously didn't want to have to take any questions from the press. Apparently he's gotten over his skittishness in exchange for some potentially good publicity.

Also present were filmmaker Harold Ramis (director of both the classic Groundhog Day and the not-so-classic Analyze That) and members of the Chicago-based production company Beverly Ridge Pictures, whose $3-million feature Chicago Overcoat was partially shot at Italian Village. Ironically, for an event designed as a photo op, we haven't been able to find many details about the provisions of the new law, but an earlier version included tax credits of 20% of the Illinois production spending, up to $100K for feature films (anything over 30 minutes). The governor's office says that $115 million was spent on film production in Illinois last year.

photo of Biograph marquee, dressed for Public Enemies, by jonjanego