These three sectors, providing more than 136,000 jobs, are supported by a large and diverse group of hospitals, advanced education and medical research facilities. Fermilab, located in Batavia, has developed a proton accelerator that is expected to play a crucial role in the development of new radiation treatments. Additionally, there are more than 600 public and private research labs located around the state. This extensive research network thrives through a series of cooperative partnerships between business, universities and government. Illinois is headquarters for some of the most impressive research and development laboratories anywhere, including the National Center for Computing.
Illinois businesses cite a multitude of reasons for locating in the Prairie State.
Among them are strong financial resources, an educated work force and sophisticated technology resources. These advantages are complemented by the state's abundant natural resources. Illinois is a natural leader in oil refining and natural gas storage capacity, allowing the state to offer one of the lowest energy cost structures in the United States. In addition, the state possesses rich, deep soil and a vast supply of fresh water. The state's water table is so high that it uses less than 15 percent of its replenishable groundwater capacity.