These are the 25 best large employers in Illinois in 2026, according to Forbes
One Illinois company was named among the top 50 best large employers in the U.S., according to a recent report from Forbes.
The Forbes 2026 America’s Best Large Employers List, published Feb. 10, named Hyatt Hotels the 50th in the nation, and the top-ranking one in the state.
Hyatt Hotels was founded by Jay Pritzker in 1957 and is the primary source of Gov. JB Pritzker’s wealth. Forbes estimates Gov. Pritzker’s net worth is $3.9 billion. Thomas Pritzker, cousin to the governor, stepped down from the Hyatt Board Feb. 17 after emails between himself and Jeffrey Epstein were released recently.
To compile the ranking of best large employers, Forbes primarily used survey responses from employees, with questions about whether they would recommend their employer to others, as well as ratings on salary, work environment, benefits and more.
Some of the other best-performing large Illinois companies included the University of Chicago Medicine, as well as technology-focused companies and a popular airline.
Illinois’ fourth-place large employer according to Forbes, ranked 151st nationally, is North Chicago’s AbbVie. The biopharmaceutical company will construct two new manufacturing facilities that are expected to create 300 new full-time jobs, according to a Feb. 23 release from Gov. Pritzker’s office.
“AbbVie’s significant investment fortifies Illinois’ position as a global biomanufacturing leader while creating hundreds of new jobs,” Pritzker said in the news release. “With our world-class workforce, modern infrastructure, strategic location, and cutting-edge research ecosystem, this expansion underscores why Illinois is the best place to grow and innovate. Together, we’re advancing pharmaceutical manufacturing and R&D and building a stronger economic future for communities across Illinois.”
Forbes’ best large employers list included 700 organizations, and 35 Illinois companies made the cut.
If you’re looking for remote work opportunities in the state, some companies are hiring work-from-home employees, including jobs in marketing, social media and call centers.
What are the best large employers in Illinois?
Here’s how Forbes’ top 25 best large employers based in Illinois compared:
1. Hyatt Hotels, Chicago (ranked No. 50 nationally)
2. University of Chicago Medicine (No. 103 nationally)
3. Motorola Solutions, Chicago (No. 118 nationally)
4. AbbVie, North Chicago (No. 151 nationally)
5. Ace Hardware, Oak Brook (No. 153 nationally)
6. AptarGroup, Crystal Lake (No. 219 nationally)
7. RSM US, Chicago (No. 281 nationally)
8. United Airlines, Chicago (No. 289 nationally)
9. State Farm, Bloomington (No. 306 nationally)
10. Walsh Group, Chicago (No. 363 nationally)
11. Levy, Chicago (No. 383 nationally)
12. Kemper, Chicago (No. 394 nationally)
13. Health Care Service Corp., Chicago (No. 395 nationally)
14. CNA Financial, Chicago (No. 410 nationally)
15. BMO, Chicago (No. 421 nationally)
16. Baker Tilly, Chicago (No. 461 nationally)
17. Caterpillar, Deerfield (No. 468 nationally)
18. Grainger, Lake Forest (No. 469 nationally)
19. JLL, Chicago (No. 471 nationally)
20. Kraft Heinz Company, Chicago (No. 472 nationally)
21. ThyssenKrupp USA, Chicago (No. 485 nationally)
22. Conagra Brands, Chicago (No. 502 nationally)
23. CNH Industrial, Burr Ridge (No. 517 nationally)
24. Abbott Laboratories, Chicago (No. 530 nationally)
25. Country Financial, Bloomington (No. 555 nationally)
The News-Democrat has contacted officials with Hyatt Hotels for comment about the Forbes best large employers analysis.
Unemployment in Illinois was up in December, the most recent month for which data is available, at 4.6% compared to 4.4% in previous months. The situation is a little better in the St. Louis and metro-east region, though, with a 3.5% local unemployment rate.
Forbes also evaluated midsize employers in the U.S., and 20 Illinois organizations made the list of the 500 recognized, including Chicago-based Morningstar, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Illinois Institute of Technology, Ronald McDonald House Charities and Alzheimer’s Association.
Another Forbes report, released in August, evaluated the highest-rated employers by Illinois workers, including companies not based in the state. Southwest Airlines, Apple, Google, Fidelity Investments and the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority took the top five spots in that analysis.
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