02/21/2014
Lily Oberman
Staff writer
Illinois has a lot of soybean fields. Ever wondered how much money the state makes from exporting all of those beans? Check out our list of Illinois’ top exports below to find out!
(Note: The most recent available data regarding state exports from the U.S. Census Bureau is from 2012.)
Illinois’ top exports:
1. Dump trucks
Illinois generated $5,012,000,000 in 2012 by exporting “dumpers designed for off-highway use.”
2. Light oils/preparations from petroleum oil/oils from bituminous minerals
Revenue from these oil exports was $2,494,000.
3. Track-laying tractors
In 2012, Illinois exported tractors to the tune of $1,379,000,000.
4. Soybeans
Mm, soybeans! This abundant Illinois crop generated $1,365,000,000 in 2012.
5. Parts and accessories of motor vehicles
Illinois earned $1,229,000,000 from exporting car parts.
6. Mechanical, self-propelled, front-end shovel loaders
Thanks to Illinois-based companies like Caterpillar, one of Illinois top exports is shovel-loaders – these exports accounted for $1,073,000,000 in 2012.
7. Civilian aircrafts, engines, and parts
Do you think I could get exported along with one of these aircrafts to a warmer place? No? Aircrafts, engines and parts accounted for $988,000,000 in Illinois exports.
8. Passenger vehicles with cylinder capacities exceeding 1,500
I didn’t know what “cylinder capacity” meant before today, but it refers with an engine size that’s greater than 1.5 liters (like, for example, an Illinois-manufactured 2014 Mitsubishi Lancer with a 2.0-liter engine). These vehicles generated $910,000,000.
9. Parts of derricks, cranes and pile-drivers
I am not entirely sure what the difference between a derrick and a crane is, but Illinois exported $838,000,000 worth of these machines in 2012.
10. Medical, surgery or veterinary instruments and appliances
Say “ahhh.” Illinois exported $789,000,000 of medical, surgical or veterinary instruments and appliances in 2012.
While Illinois remains a leader in heavy equipment and grain production, its manufacturing sector has suffered mightily in the wake of the 2008-2009 recession. Greg Baise of the Illinois Manufacturers Association lamented the state’s decline in this op-ed piece. The state’s stubbornly high unemployment rate is a symptom, as shown in this map of the top and bottom unemployment rates by county.
Improving the state’s employment and business climate is Issue No. 1 in the gubernatorial campaign. Before you go to the polls, check our candidate questionnaires and find out what the candidates have to say about the important issues facing the next governor. The Republican candidates’ questionnaires are here. Click here for responses from the two Democratic candidates in the March 18 primary, including Gov. Pat Quinn.
Lily Oberman is an editorial assistant at Reboot Illinois. She is a recent graduate of Northwestern University, where she studied journalism and political science. She’s offered up a closer look at how Illinois’ gubernatorial candidates are using social media and examined how the gubernatorial candidates are spending their money.
Want more great content from Reboot? Don’t miss these articles!
Infographic: Who’s who on the Illinois Supreme Court?
How did Illinois get into its current pension mess? This graphic breaks it down.
Sound off: End incumbent protection and put people first in Illinois.
What’s the state of the state for Illinois business and jobs? Find out here!
90-second drill: What would it take to bring a progressive income tax system to Illinois?