What Illinois' Import Trends Reveal About Its Tech Economy

Illinois makes things. We know this. From Rockford's machine shops to Chicago's distribution centers, our state has long been the engine room of the Midwest. So, naturally, you'd assume our biggest import is something gritty and industrial, like car parts or crude oil. Maybe even medical gadgets. But no.

According to newly released data from the Census Bureau, visualized on a colorful new state-by-state map from Visual Capitalist (scroll down to see it), Illinois' top import in 2024 is something a little... sleeker.

What's Crossing Our Borders?

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Trade patterns are shifting everywhere. Tariffs, global logistics snarls, and manufacturing realignments are reshaping what comes into the U.S. and how it gets here. Illinois, with its massive transportation network and access to rail, air, and highway systems, is a major player in that drama.

But even knowing that, the most-imported item in our state might still catch you off guard.

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It's not something you assemble. It's not something you eat. And it definitely doesn't come with ketchup on it.

What Does Illinois Import the Most?

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Illinois' number one import in 2024 is computers and technology.

That's right. While we're busy manufacturing things that clank and spark, the stuff we're shipping in is made of microchips, processors, servers, and screens. It makes sense, considering the rise of tech hubs in Chicago, the demand for smarter manufacturing in Rockford, and the fact that we're all trying to watch Netflix on 12 devices at once.

What It Means for the Midwest

It's a snapshot of where Illinois is headed: still building, still innovating, but increasingly wired in. Scroll down to see what our neighbors are importing.

Visual Capitalist