As the largest city in central Illinois, with a population of 117,000, Springfield is best known for being the home of our 16th President Abraham Lincoln and the place where President Barack Obama spent his early career in politics. Springfield is truly rich with history while maintaining a progressive and strong business environment.

Conveniently located on Interstate Highways 55 and 72, Springfield is in close proximity to St. Louis to the south; Chicago to the north and Indianapolis to the east. This central location gives Springfield a reach of over 536,000 people within a 40 mile radius.

In addition to Interstate access, five class I railroads and two short line railroads serve the city and Sangamon County, providing direct shipment to major markets throughout the United States.

Springfield's Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport is three miles northwest of the City's downtown and is a full service provider that accommodates both passenger as well as freight services.

Springfield's medical and health care sectors are a core industry for central Illinois. Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS) and Memorial Health Systems are our two main providers. HSHS St. John's Hospital and Memorial Medical Center are currently undergoing major expansions.

The community is also home to Springfield Clinic; Prairie Heart Institute; Prairie Education and Research Cooperative; Southern Illinois School of Medicine (SIU); Simmons Cancer Institute; along with St. John's School of Nursing and the University of Illinois at Springfield's nursing program.

Springfield is a regional provider of health care services. An example of the confidence that our medical community has in this central location is the 2015 opening of Memorial Medical Center's 72,000-square-foot, four-story Center for Learning and Innovation. As only one of six in the nation, the Center houses a state-of-the-art Simulation Center, providing learners with the opportunity to develop their skills through simulation and skills training in settings that include a nursing station, general medical patient care room, operating room, emergency treatment and trauma room, labor/delivery room, physician exam room, and outdoor ambulance setting and a home setting in addition to featuring classrooms, training rooms and a conference center.

Springfield’s strong education economy is driven by numerous colleges and universities including the University of Illinois at Springfield (UIS); Robert Morris University; Benedictine University; Lincoln Community College; ITT Tech and Capital Area Career Center.

In alignment with the education and workforce strategies, Springfield became home to a new business incubator in 2016, Innovate Springfield. Supported by the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce and Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln, the incubator is an effort to retain and attract talented entrepreneurs to the greater Springfield area. As an incubator for start-up business enterprises and social efforts, Innovate Springfield aims to create an environment where innovation can be celebrated and nurtured for the betterment of the greater community.

The lore and reputation of Abraham Lincoln has made Springfield a global destination because of the story of his life and the location in Springfield of his home and the Abraham Presidential Library and Museum. However, Springfield draws people year round for festivals and events including the Illinois State Fair; the annual Route 66 Mother Road Festival; the International Carillon Festival; downtown's Old Capitol Farmer's Market; the SoHo Music Festival and activities at Southwind Park, an 80 acre state-of-the-art park that serves as a national model by providing inclusion for all people, with a special emphasis given to individuals with physical and cognitive needs.