Tech Industry Remains Vital to Illinois Economy

Illinois High Tech Industry Adds Jobs in 2007

Oakbrook Terrace, IL (March 31, 2009) - TechAmerica, formed by the merger of AeA and the Information Technology Association of America (ITAA), today released its 12th annual Cyberstates report, which includes a first-ever supplement with a 3rd and 4th quarter breakdown of 2008 tech employment. Fourth quarter data show the tech industry's resilience compared to the U.S. economy as a whole, having sustained only a 0.6 percent drop in employment, or 38,000 jobs, in Q4 2008 when total private-sector employment declined by 1.3 percent.

The high-tech industry has added 382,900 jobs to the U.S. economy over the last four years. The industry added 77,000 net jobs in 2008, for a total of 5.9 million workers. This was on top of 79,600 added in 2007, 139,000 in 2006, and 87,400 in 2005.

The Cyberstates 2009 report - which details national and state trends in high-tech employment, wages, and other key economic factors for all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico - shows that Illinois's high-tech industry added 2,400 net jobs in 2007, the most current year for which state data are available. This growth pushed Illinois back up in the rankings, making it the 7th largest cyberstate in 2007. Illinois's tech industry employed 211,800 tech industry workers with a total payroll of $16.6 billion in 2007.

"Technology makes progress possible not just in our homes, but in every Illinois industry - from education and healthcare, to manufacturing and farming," said Illinois Governor Pat Quinn. "Thanks to our pioneering universities, entrepreneurs and innovators, our state is second to none when it comes to developing and using life-improving technology. I will continue to support the ambitious, aggressive growth and leadership of Illinois' technology community so that our students, our workforce and our employers can set the pace in this challenging 21st century economy."

"The fact that Illinois added 2,400 high-tech jobs in 2007, with the economy on the verge of recession, speaks to the strength of the state's tech industry," said T. Kendall Hunt, Chairman of TechAmerica's Midwest Council. "The national data show that the U.S. tech sector has proved remarkably resilient thus far, not seeing net job loss until the fourth quarter of 2008. With its solid base of educational institutions, R&D, and global market reach, Illinois is well positioned to benefit from the federal stimulus spending, which includes significant technology infrastructure investments. We believe that Illinois's tech sector could be at the forefront of economic recovery efforts in 2009."

Illinois ranked 3rd by tech industry employment in consumer electronics sector (1,500 total jobs), and ranked 4th in three manufacturing sectors: electronic components (12,300 total jobs), measuring and control instruments (11,700 total jobs), and communications equipment (8,700 total jobs).

Job gains were fueled by the computer systems design and related services sector, which added 2,900 net jobs. Engineering services followed with a gain of 1,500 jobs net jobs. These sectors offset losses concentrated in R%D and testing labs (-1,600), communications services (-300 jobs), and electronic components manufacturing (-200).

Two other major TechAmerica cyber reports that analyze the U.S. high-tech industry: Cybercities 2009: An Overview of the High-Technology Industry in the Nation's Top 60 Cities, and Trade in the Cyberstates 2009: A State-by-State Overview of High-Tech International Trade, are forthcoming.

Cyberstates 2009 may be purchased for $150. The quarterly supplement may be freely downloaded. Both reports may be accessed at: www.techamerica.org/cyberstates.

What Does High Tech Mean for Illinois?

• 211,800 high-tech workers in 2007 (7th ranked cyberstate)
• 2,400 jobs added between 2006 and 2007
• High-tech firms employed 42 of every 1,000 private sector workers in 2007 ranked 30th nationwide
• High-tech workers earned an average wage of $78,400 (16th ranked), or 63 percent more than Illinois's average private sector wage
• A high-tech payroll of $16.6 billion in 2007, ranked 9th nationwide
• 16,700 high-tech establishments in 2007, ranked 5th nationwide

Illinois's National Industry Sector Rankings:

• 3rd in consumer electronics manufacturing employment with 1,500 jobs
• 4th in electronic components manufacturing employment with 12,300 jobs
• 4th in measuring and control instruments manufacturing employment with 11,700 jobs

Source: Cyberstates 2009

Data are for 2007 unless otherwise noted.

2007 state data are the most current available for employment, wages, payroll, establishments, and industry sector jobs.

Published by TechAmerica - Where the Future Begins

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About TechAmerica
TechAmerica is the leading voice for the U.S. technology industry, the driving force behind productivity growth and jobs creation in the United States and the foundation of the global innovation economy. Representing approximately 1,500 member companies of all sizes from the public and commercial sectors of the economy, it is the industry's largest advocacy organization and is dedicated to helping members' top and bottom lines. It is also the technology industry's only grassroots-to-global advocacy network, with offices in state capitals around the United States, Washington, D.C., Europe (Brussels) and Asia (Beijing). TechAmerica was formed by the merger of AeA (formerly the American Electronics Association), the Cyber Security Industry Alliance (CSIA), the Information Technology Association of America (ITAA) and the Government Electronics & Information Technology Association (GEIA). Learn more at www.techamerica.org.

Contact:
Ed Longanecker
Executive Director, TechAmerica Midwest
630.613.7174 or ed.longanecker@techamerica.org

Josh James
Director, Research and Industry Analysis (research-based inquiries)
202.682.4422 or josh.james@techamerica.org

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