Will Cook Enterprise Zone

The Will Cook Enterprise Zone is a partnership between the Villages of Matteson, Monee, Park Forest, Richton Park and University Park, as well as, Cook County and Will County.

Will Cook Enterprise Zone Map & Address Verification

An interactive map of the Will Cook Enterprise Zone is available here:  Enterprise Zone Map & Address Lookup Tool.

A project must be included within the boundary of the Will Cook Enterprise Zone to be eligible for any zone benefits or incentives.

Enterprise Zone Applications

Please use the links below to apply online:

• Enterprise Zone Project Application (click here)
  
  • Complete this application first using information for the entire project.
• Contractor Application (click here) for sales tax exemption on building materials
  • Complete one application for each contractor or business entity that will make building material purchases. This application should only be completed by purchasers, not sellers.

State Incentives

Sales Tax Exemption

Enterprise Zone participants have been granted an exemption from the State, City, and County sales tax. Sales tax is exempted on building materials incorporated into real estate located in the Will-Cook Enterprise Zone. The exemption applies to building and construction materials used for remodeling, rehabilitation, or new construction.

Utility Tax Exemption

The Public Utilities Act 220 ILCS 5/9-222.1, as amended, and the Telecommunications Excise Tax Act 35 ILCS 630/2(a)(5), as amended, allows a business enterprise certified by DCEO as making an investment in a zone that either creates a minimum of 200 full-time equivalent jobs in Illinois or retains a minimum of 1,000 full-time jobs in Illinois, a 5 percent state tax exemption on gas, electricity and the Illinois Commerce Commission .1 percent administrative charge and excise taxes on the act or privilege of originating or receiving telecommunications. Local units of government may also exempt their taxes on gas, electricity, and water.

Manufacturing Machinery and Equipment (M. M & E) Sales Tax Exemption

The Revenue Act 35 ILCS 120/ld-lf, as amended, allows a business enterprise that is certified by DCEO, as making a $5 million investment that either: creates a minimum of 200 full-time equivalent jobs in Illinois; or retains a minimum of 2,000 full-time jobs in Illinois; or which retains 90% of the existing jobs, a 6.25 percent state sales tax exemption on all tangible personal property which is used or consumed within an enterprise zone in the process of manufacturing or assembly of tangible personal property for wholesale or retail sale or lease. This exemption includes repair and replacement parts for machinery and equipment used primarily in the process of manufacturing or assembling tangible personal property for wholesale or retail sale or lease, and equipment, manufacturing fuels, material, and supplies for the maintenance, repair, or operation of manufacturing, or assembling machinery or equipment.

Investment Tax Credit

The Illinois Income Tax Act 35 ILCS 5/201, as amended, allows corporations, trusts, estates, individuals, partners, and Subchapter S shareholders a 0.5 percent credit against the state income tax for investments in qualified property which is placed in service in the Will-Cook Enterprise Zone. This credit is in addition to the existing 0.5 percent investment tax credit allowed statewide against the corporate personal property replacement tax. The investment tax credit applies against gross income subject to Illinois income tax and to the depreciable basis of qualified property placed in service within the Will-Cook Enterprise Zone. It is a one-time credit given in the taxable year in which the property is placed in service. If the amount of the credit exceeds the tax liability for that year, the excess may be carried forward and applied to the tax liability of the five taxable years following the excess credit year.

Additional Incentives

Please refer to the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity website for additional information on the benefits listed above as well as further benefits including Open Market Natural Gas Tax Exemption, Pollution Control Facilities.

Local Incentives

Commercial and Industrial Property Tax Abatement

Property taxes are abated based on the increase in assessed valuation due to new construction, renovation or rehabilitation of eligible commercial and industrial properties. The value of said construction, renovation or rehabilitation requires a minimum building materials purchase of $50,000. The abatement will be for five consecutive years beginning with the real estate taxes for the first full year of the facility's commercial operation.

When no other abatements are available, the abatement will consist of 50% of the amount excess of the base amount year and the next (4) consecutive years.

The following Governmental Units have chosen to participate in the Enterprise Zone property tax abatement program through December 31, 2030:

• Village of Matteson
• Village of Monee
• Village of Park Forest
• Village of Richton Park
• Village of University Park

Fee Waiver

A waiver of 50% of building permit or zoning application fees for projects of industrial or commercial building construction or rehabilitation in which the cost of building construction materials will exceed $50,000.