ILLINOIS INVENTIONINDEX | JUNE 2025
June 2025: 1.02% (C grade)
Discussion:
In June, the Illinois inventionINDEX scored a positive sentiment which was lower than the previous year’s average and underperformed the upward trend for the year. This is in contrast to the prior 12 months, which experienced a slight downward trend.
As the economy continues to stabilize in the post-pandemic era, it remains uncertain whether any backlog of applications still exists or if the department has returned to normal processing timelines. The inventionINDEX could also be affected by lingering consequences from the pandemic, such as company closures, reduced workforces, and limited R&D capabilities, which may still be impacting current operations.
| Month | inventionINDEX Score |
| June 2025 | 1.02% |
| May 25 | 1.34% |
| Apr 25 | 1.69% |
| Mar 25 | 1.05% |
| Feb 25 | 1.19% |
| Jan 25 | 1.33% |
| Dec 24 | 1.52% |
| Nov 24 | 1.10% |
| Oct 24 | 1.95% |
| Sep 24 | 1.17% |
| Aug 24 | 0.89% |
| Jul 24 | 1.58% |
| Jun 24 | 1.16% |
Over the past twelve months, Illinois’ inventionINDEX has shown notable fluctuations, reflecting a dynamic innovation climate within the state. The latest score, recorded at 1.02% in June 2025, marks a slight decline from May’s 1.34% and is significantly lower than the year’s peak of 1.95% in October 2024. This June figure is also below the 12-month average of approximately 1.34%, indicating a recent softening in patent activity or inventive momentum.
Despite this decline, it’s worth noting that the inventionINDEX remains within a healthy historical range, avoiding the low of 0.89% observed in August 2024. A score above 1% generally suggests ongoing engagement in R&D and a reasonably strong intellectual property pipeline. When this index climbs-such as in April 2025 (1.69%) and October 2024 (1.95%)-it can signal increased commercialization potential, job creation, and enhanced competitiveness for regional industries.
On the other hand, a lower score, like the 1.02% seen in June 2025, may raise concerns regarding a temporary slowdown in innovation outputs. Such dips could stem from delayed patent filings, reduced R&D funding, or a lag in transitioning from research to tangible inventions. Persistent declines over time might affect investor confidence or hint at systemic barriers within the state’s innovation ecosystem.
Maintaining or improving the inventionINDEX is critical for long-term economic vitality. For Illinois, consistent scores near or above the historical average can help secure federal research grants, attract technology firms, and support university-led innovation. Conversely, if the current downward trend continues into the coming months, it could prompt stakeholders to re-evaluate innovation policies, support mechanisms, and investment strategies aimed at revitalizing the state’s inventive output.
Discussion:
In June, the Illinois inventionINDEX scored a positive sentiment which was lower than the previous year’s average and underperformed the upward trend for the year. This is in contrast to the prior 12 months, which experienced a slight downward trend.
As the economy continues to stabilize in the post-pandemic era, it remains uncertain whether any backlog of applications still exists or if the department has returned to normal processing timelines. The inventionINDEX could also be affected by lingering consequences from the pandemic, such as company closures, reduced workforces, and limited R&D capabilities, which may still be impacting current operations.
Learn More:
Are you thinking of patenting any of your bright ideas? Did you know your research work could be eligible for the R&D Tax Credit and you can receive up to 14% back on your expenses? To find out more, please check out our free online eligibility test.
Swanson Reed’s Illinois office provides R&D tax credit consulting and advisory services to Chicago, Aurora, Rockford, Joliet, Naperville, Springfield, Peoria, Elgin, Waukegan, Champaign, Bloomington, Decatur, Evanston, Des Plaines, Berwyn, Wheaton, Carbondale, Mount Prospect, Oak Lawn and Skokie.
Feel free to book a quick teleconference with one of R&D tax specialists if you would like to learn more about R&D tax credit opportunities.
Who We Are:
Swanson Reed is the largest Specialist R&D tax credit advisory firm in the United States. With offices nationwide, we are one of the only firms globally to exclusively provide R&D tax credit consulting services to our clients. We have been exclusively providing R&D tax credit claim preparation and audit compliance solutions for over 30 years.
Swanson Reed hosts daily free webinars and provides free IRS CE and CPE credits for CPAs. For more information please visit us at www.swansonreed.com/free-webinars or contact your usual Swanson Reed representative.
