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While it's certainly not the greatest thing that has ever happened, the Film Production Services Tax Credit Act that was passed last year in Illinois will have a few positive effects, and no foreseeable negative effects. The passage of this bill will lead to an increase of Illinois jobs, something that cannot be criticized even by the most jaded Chicagoans. The tax credit will extend only to money spent on Illinois labor, which does not include the high-priced actors. Simply, this bill does not cut a break to all the John Cusacks of the city, but actually benefits the lesser-known and valued crew members. Because of the act, maybe somebody with a Columbia film degree can actually work in Chicago without having to "sacrifice their art." If you listen closely, you can hear the sound of hundreds of suburban basements being vacated, accompanied by the subtle sounds of parents smiling.
It's an embarrassment to this city to see how many movies that are purportedly set in Chicago are actually filmed elsewhere, with the most popular stand-in being Toronto . As anyone who's visited Toronto can tell you, there are a great number of similarities between the two cities, especially in the look and feel of the smaller neighborhoods. But Toronto isn't Chicago . It takes a great deal of cynicism to ignore the excitement one sees when an outsider recognizes the true greatness of one's city. If only the ignorant are interested in recognition, there would be no competition for the Olympics or for the Super Bowl.
Since 1985, more than 50 movies that were supposedly filmed in Chicago were filmed in other cities. I ask you, what is what is wrong with using Chicago the city as the set for Chicago the movie? Remember what John Hughes films in the ‘80s did for Chicago? When Ferris Bueller ditched school to run around the city, it made us a proud bunch of kids to live in a city so ripe for mayhem.
From only one movie that currently is being filmed in Chicago, The Weather Man, the state of Illinois could see an additional $20 million being introduced into the economy. Harold Ramis's new movie, The Ice Harvest , would not have been filmed in Chicago without the tax break. Ditto for Oceans 12. Christopher Nolan's Batman Begins started filming May 23, and when the production returns in July, locations will have been prepared all over the city. Local businesses will be helped by the additional revenue, and tourism could see a rise from Chicago being featured in films. It seems that everyone will benefit from the lowered tax breaks; even the cynics have something new about which to complain.
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