Biopharmaceutical company AbbVie has announced plans to invest $380 million in the construction of two new manufacturing facilities in North Chicago. This initiative aligns with economic growth strategies endorsed by both Governor JB Pritzker and the administration of former President Donald Trump. The new plants are projected to create approximately 300 jobs, with opportunities available for engineers, scientists, manufacturing operators, and lab technicians.
The facilities will focus on producing active pharmaceutical ingredients, specifically to support the development of medications for neuroscience and obesity. Construction is set to commence in spring 2024, with both facilities expected to be operational by 2029. This announcement follows the recent unveiling of a separate $195 million facility in North Chicago, which AbbVie revealed in August. The earlier project, now under construction since September, will also produce active pharmaceutical ingredients.
Investment and Economic Impact
All three manufacturing initiatives fall under the state’s Economic Development for a Growing Economy (EDGE) program. This program offers tax incentives to businesses that create jobs and invest in facilities within Illinois. “AbbVie’s significant investment fortifies Illinois’ position as a global biomanufacturing leader while creating hundreds of new jobs,” said Governor Pritzker in a press release. “Together, we’re advancing pharmaceutical manufacturing and research and development, building a stronger economic future for communities across Illinois.”
These projects also fulfill commitments made by AbbVie to the Trump administration earlier this year. In exchange for a three-year exemption from tariffs and future price mandates, AbbVie pledged to invest $100 billion in U.S. research and development and construction projects over the next decade. The company also committed to providing “low prices” for Medicaid and increasing direct sales to consumers through a new online platform named TrumpRx.
Broader Manufacturing Expansion
AbbVie is among numerous pharmaceutical companies that have engaged in similar agreements with the Trump administration over the past year. Headquartered in North Chicago, AbbVie currently employs more than 11,500 people in Illinois and approximately 29,000 across the United States. The company is well-known for its flagship medication, Humira, which is used to treat various conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s disease. Other notable products include Skyrizi for plaque psoriasis and Rinvoq for rheumatoid arthritis, as well as the popular cosmetic treatment Botox.
In addition to the new facilities in North Chicago, AbbVie has announced plans to expand its U.S. manufacturing presence by acquiring a facility in Arizona and enhancing operations at its Massachusetts plant. The company has indicated it is also in discussions with multiple states regarding further potential manufacturing investments, reflecting a broader trend towards expanding domestic production capacity in the pharmaceutical sector.
