Invest in Illinois

Overview

Invest in Illinois is a group of programs offered by the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office that expands access to affordable capital across the state. These programs work with financial institutions to support consumer lending, farm expenses, business growth, and other economic development needs. By providing State investment capital at a lower interest rate, Invest in Illinois makes it easier for lenders to offer lower-cost loans to qualified borrowers, including those who may face barriers to traditional financing.

Putting State Funds to Work

The Treasurer’s Office has the opportunity to earn a return on State investments while also supporting economic growth in Illinois. Through Invest in Illinois, the Office focuses on opportunities that strengthen rural, suburban, and urban communities. This approach supports job creation, business development, and long-term economic stability while protecting public funds and generating competitive earnings for the State.

How the Programs Work

Invest in Illinois includes community development linked deposit programs such as Ag Invest, Business Invest, CUP Business Invest, SCALE UP, and Community Invest Opportunity Illinois. Through these programs, the Treasurer’s Office places below-market-rate deposit funds with participating financial institutions, which can then make low-interest loans to qualified borrowers. This creates a benefit for everyone involved: the Treasurer’s Office earns an investment return, financial institutions earn interest on the loans they make, and borrowers gain access to more affordable financing for personal needs, business expansion, or farm improvements.

Community Development Linked Deposit

Ag Invest

Lower-cost financing for farmers and agriculture

For over 41 years, the Treasurer’s Office has provided loan opportunities for Illinois farmers through Ag Invest. Through its commitment to Ag Invest, the Treasurer’s Office partners with approved financial institutions to provide qualified farmers, agribusinesses, and agriculture professionals with below-market-rate loans to start, expand, or add value to their farm operations. The loans provided by the financial institution can be used to purchase farm equipment, land, or construction-related expenses; for operating lines of credit; or for other costs related to conventional or sustainable farming.

The Treasurer’s Ag Invest program is the nation’s most extensive agriculture impact-investment deposit program. Since 1983, Ag Invest has loaned more than $5 billion in annual and long-term loans.

Ag Invest

Business Invest

Affordable capital to support business growth

Businesses in underserved communities often struggle to access affordable loan opportunities and financial capital. In many instances, businesses would expand their operations, make business improvements, and hire more workers with increased access to low-cost loans.

Business Invest is a business-focused loan impact investment program. Through Business Invest, the Treasurer’s Office partners with approved financial institutions to provide low-cost loans to businesses in underserved communities. This provides the Treasurer’s Office with an opportunity to stimulate business growth and economic activity while earning a competitive return for the State.

  • For example, through the Business Invest – Community Uplift Program (“CUP”), the Treasurer’s Office partners with approved financial institutions, including community banks, local credit unions, and savings and loan institutions, to make impact-investment deposits that provide below-market-rate loans to businesses in Illinois. By providing targeted lending support to underserved businesses, financial institutions can offer low-cost business loans. Business Invest helps grow companies and create jobs in underserved communities while earning a competitive return for the State.
  • Through the Business Invest – Sub-Contractor Accelerator Loan Engine Program (SCALE UP Program), the Treasurer’s Office partners with approved financial institutions to provide vital economic support to small, diverse businesses to facilitate or expand access to capital for diverse (MWVD) small construction companies in the state of Illinois that have contracts with government entities or major real estate developers. Growth capital for businesses ready to expand
Business Invest

Community Invest

Expanded access to loans for Illinois communities

Many communities across Illinois face challenges such as unemployment, poverty, limited affordable housing, and fewer economic opportunities. Access to lower-cost loans can give individuals, families, and community organizations a better chance to build stability and support local growth.

Community Invest is a program that expands access to affordable loans in underserved Illinois communities. The Treasurer’s Office works with approved financial institutions to make lower-rate consumer lending more possible while also earning a competitive return for the State.

  • One part of the program, Community Invest – Opportunity Illinois, partners with community banks, local credit unions, and savings and loan institutions to provide lower-rate loans to Illinois residents. By reducing funding costs for participating lenders, the program can make mortgages, auto loans, student loans, and personal loans more affordable, especially for people with limited access to credit.
Community Invest

Contact Us

Please contact us at 217-558-6217 or investinillinois@illinoistreasurer.gov if you have any questions or would like more information.