Government Contracts in Illinois
Federal contracts with the place of performance in Illinois
Government contracts in Illinois totaled $38.1B across 1,892,825 awards from FY2024 to FY2026. Obligations were down 1.6% in FY2026 vs FY2025, and the Department of Defense was the largest buyer, accounting for 58% of the total.
Key figures
In FY2026, contract obligations were $12,236,006,720 across 507,780 awards with activity that year, a change of -1.6% from $12,433,013,990 in FY2025. From FY2024 to FY2026, obligations totaled $38,051,410,237 across 1,892,825 awards.
- Obligated in FY2026
- $12.2B
- Awards in FY2026
- 507,780
- Change vs FY2025
- -1.6%
- Total, FY2024 to FY2026
- $38.1B
Note: FY2026 ended on Sep 30, 2026. The Department of Defense publishes contract data with a 90-day delay, so FY2026 totals may still rise as late reports arrive.
Federal contract spending in Illinois by year
Federal contracts in Illinois per fiscal year (October to September), counted where the work is performed. These are federal contracts only; state and local government contracts are not included.
| Fiscal year | Obligated | Awards | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| FY2026 | $12,236,006,720 | 507,780 | -1.6% |
| FY2025 | $12,433,013,990 | 699,715 | -7.1% |
| FY2024 | $13,382,389,527 | 703,601 | n/a |
About federal contract spending in Illinois
Federal contract spending in Illinois fell 9% from FY2024 ($13.4B) to FY2026 ($12.2B). FY2026 closed recently, and Defense Department contracts are reported up to 90 days late, so its total may still rise.
The Department of Defense is the biggest federal buyer in Illinois, with 58% of contract dollars, followed by the Department of Energy (16%).
The leading industries for government contracts in Illinois are research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences, all other miscellaneous manufacturing and service establishment equipment and supplies merchant wholesalers.
Spending is spread widely: the top 3 federal contractors account for 28% of the total.
Top federal contractors in Illinois
Companies ranked by contract dollars for work performed in Illinois. They may be based in any state.
| # | Contractor | Obligated | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | W S Darley & Co | $4,443,173,924 | 11.7% |
| 2 | Uchicago Argonne, LLC | $3,624,693,141 | 9.5% |
| 3 | Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation | $2,593,908,527 | 6.8% |
| 4 | Fermi Forward Discovery Group, LLC | $2,508,091,708 | 6.6% |
| 5 | Supplycore LLC | $2,064,303,299 | 5.4% |
| 6 | Medline Industries, LP | $1,792,117,357 | 4.7% |
| 7 | BP Products North America Inc. | $1,535,009,022 | 4.0% |
| 8 | Cardinal Health 200, LLC | $1,426,994,482 | 3.8% |
| 9 | DDB Chicago Inc. | $1,112,985,784 | 2.9% |
| 10 | W.W. Grainger, Inc. | $1,046,653,123 | 2.8% |
Agencies spending in Illinois
Federal agencies ranked by contract dollars for work performed in Illinois.
| # | Agency | Obligated | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Department of Defense | $21,937,439,449 | 57.7% |
| 2 | Department of Energy | $5,974,091,001 | 15.7% |
| 3 | Department of Veterans Affairs | $5,116,542,660 | 13.4% |
| 4 | General Services Administration | $1,589,716,844 | 4.2% |
| 5 | Department of Agriculture | $810,544,326 | 2.1% |
| 6 | Department of Health and Human Services | $775,594,746 | 2.0% |
| 7 | Department of Justice | $334,276,450 | 0.9% |
| 8 | Department of Homeland Security | $323,459,349 | 0.9% |
| 9 | Department of the Treasury | $277,328,530 | 0.7% |
| 10 | Environmental Protection Agency | $201,274,505 | 0.5% |
Top industries for Illinois government contracts
Industry codes (NAICS) on federal contracts in Illinois, ranked by dollars.
| # | Industry | Obligated | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life SciencesNAICS 541710 | $3,464,858,098 | 9.1% |
| 2 | All Other Miscellaneous ManufacturingNAICS 339999 | $2,939,936,861 | 7.7% |
| 3 | Service Establishment Equipment and Supplies Merchant WholesalersNAICS 423850 | $2,817,044,474 | 7.4% |
| 4 | Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)NAICS 541715 | $2,794,189,322 | 7.3% |
| 5 | Medical, Dental, and Hospital Equipment and Supplies Merchant WholesalersNAICS 423450 | $2,480,754,702 | 6.5% |
| 6 | Petroleum RefineriesNAICS 324110 | $1,624,537,342 | 4.3% |
| 7 | Engineering ServicesNAICS 541330 | $1,319,014,357 | 3.5% |
| 8 | Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument ManufacturingNAICS 334511 | $1,313,132,347 | 3.5% |
| 9 | Advertising AgenciesNAICS 541810 | $1,114,136,082 | 2.9% |
| 10 | Ammunition (except Small Arms) ManufacturingNAICS 332993 | $1,052,344,291 | 2.8% |
Recent federal contracts in Illinois
The latest federal contracts performed in Illinois, newest first. Each award ID links to its record on USAspending.gov.
| Start date | Recipient | Agency and description | Amount | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 30, 2026 | Copyright Clearance Center, Inc. | National Transportation Safety BoardONLINE LIBRARY SUBSCRIPTION | $49,940 | 9531BM26P0052 |
| Sep 30, 2026 | W.W. Grainger, Inc. | General Services AdministrationREFLECTOR SET,HIGHW | $39 | 47QSWA26P1NLV |
| Sep 30, 2026 | Saf-T-Gard International, Inc. | General Services AdministrationSTRAP,CHIN | $974 | 47QSWA26P1NLC |
| Sep 30, 2026 | Huron Applied Sciences, LLC | General Services AdministrationTAPE,TEXTILE | $224 | 47QSWA26P1NL0 |
| Sep 30, 2026 | Huron Applied Sciences, LLC | General Services AdministrationSURGE PROTECTOR | $52 | 47QSWA26P1NKY |
| Sep 30, 2026 | Huron Applied Sciences, LLC | General Services AdministrationTAPE,TEXTILE | $114 | 47QSWA26P1NKK |
| Sep 30, 2026 | Huron Applied Sciences, LLC | General Services AdministrationCORD,EXTENSION ELEC | $190 | 47QSWA26P1NKE |
| Sep 30, 2026 | Saf-T-Gard International, Inc. | General Services AdministrationRESPIRATOR,PARTICUL | $160 | 47QSWA26P1NKC |
| Sep 30, 2026 | Huron Applied Sciences, LLC | General Services AdministrationTAPE,TEXTILE | $205 | 47QSWA26P1NKA |
| Sep 30, 2026 | Huron Applied Sciences, LLC | General Services AdministrationTAPE,TEXTILE | $68 | 47QSWA26P1NK4 |
| Sep 30, 2026 | Huron Applied Sciences, LLC | General Services AdministrationTAPE,TEXTILE | $224 | 47QSWA26P1NJ4 |
| Sep 30, 2026 | Huron Applied Sciences, LLC | General Services AdministrationSURGE PROTECTOR | $65 | 47QSWA26P1NJ1 |
| Sep 30, 2026 | Huron Applied Sciences, LLC | General Services AdministrationBELT,HIGH VISIBILIT | $130 | 47QSWA26P1NHY |
| Sep 30, 2026 | Huron Applied Sciences, LLC | General Services AdministrationSASH,HIGH VISIBILIT | $1,380 | 47QSWA26P1NHX |
| Sep 30, 2026 | Huron Applied Sciences, LLC | General Services AdministrationCORD,EXTENSION ELEC | $114 | 47QSWA26P1NHR |
| Sep 30, 2026 | Huron Applied Sciences, LLC | General Services AdministrationTAPE,TEXTILE | $24 | 47QSWA26P1NHL |
| Sep 30, 2026 | Huron Applied Sciences, LLC | General Services AdministrationSURGE PROTECTOR | $380 | 47QSWA26P1NHG |
| Sep 30, 2026 | Huron Applied Sciences, LLC | General Services AdministrationCORD,EXTENSION ELEC | $228 | 47QSWA26P1NHF |
| Sep 30, 2026 | Huron Applied Sciences, LLC | General Services AdministrationCORD,EXTENSION ELEC | $79 | 47QSWA26P1NH3 |
| Sep 30, 2026 | Huron Applied Sciences, LLC | General Services AdministrationHOOK,SHOWER CURTAIN | $0 | 47QSWA26P1NH2 |
| Sep 30, 2026 | Huron Applied Sciences, LLC | General Services AdministrationTAPE,TEXTILE | $495 | 47QSWA26P1NH1 |
| Sep 30, 2026 | Huron Applied Sciences, LLC | General Services AdministrationTAPE,TEXTILE | $268 | 47QSWA26P1NGN |
| Sep 30, 2026 | Huron Applied Sciences, LLC | General Services AdministrationTAPE,TEXTILE | $91 | 47QSWA26P1NGJ |
| Sep 30, 2026 | Huron Applied Sciences, LLC | General Services AdministrationTAPE,TEXTILE | $114 | 47QSWA26P1NGE |
| Sep 30, 2026 | Huron Applied Sciences, LLC | General Services AdministrationBELT,HIGH VISIBILIT | $586 | 47QSWA26P1NGC |
Open government contracts in Illinois
The newest open notices from SAM.gov. Bidding needs a free SAM.gov registration.
Dept of Defense · Solicitation · NAICS 484110 · IL
Posted Oct 30, 2026 · Responses due Nov 10, 2026
Veterans Affairs, Department of · Solicitation · NAICS 238210 · IL · Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) Sole Source (FAR 19.14)
Posted Oct 30, 2026 · Responses due Nov 9, 2026
Veterans Affairs, Department of · Solicitation · NAICS 236220 · IL · Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) Set-Aside (FAR 19.14)
Posted Oct 30, 2026 · Responses due Nov 6, 2026
Energy, Department of · Solicitation · NAICS 236210 · IL · No Set aside used
Posted Oct 30, 2026 · Responses due Dec 17, 2026
Dept of Defense · Combined Synopsis/Solicitation · NAICS 333994 · IL · Small Business Set Aside - Total
Posted Oct 30, 2026 · Responses due Nov 28, 2026
How to win government contracts in Illinois
Federal agencies buy goods and services in Illinois every day. Register your business for free on SAM.gov, search open bids with the place of performance in Illinois, and look at which agencies and federal contractors in Illinois buy what you sell. Contractors already working in the state often need local subcontractors.
Explore government contracts in Illinois
- Government research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences contracts
- Government all other miscellaneous manufacturing contracts
- Government service establishment equipment and supplies merchant wholesalers contracts
- Government research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (except nanotechnology and biotechnology) contracts
- Government medical supplies contracts
- Department of Defense contracts
- Department of Energy contracts
- Department of Veterans Affairs contracts
- General Services Administration contracts
- Department of Agriculture contracts
- W S Darley & government contracts
- Uchicago Argonne government contracts
- Northrop Grumman Systems government contracts
- Fermi Forward Discovery Group government contracts
- Supplycore government contracts
Frequently asked questions
- How much federal contract money goes to Illinois?
- Federal agencies obligated $38.1B on contracts performed in Illinois from FY2024 to FY2026, across 1,892,825 contract awards, including $12.2B in FY2026. This counts federal contracts only, by place of performance; state and local government contracts are not included.
- Who are the largest federal contractors in Illinois?
- By contract dollars for work performed in Illinois from FY2024 to FY2026, the largest were W S Darley & Co ($4.4B), Uchicago Argonne, LLC ($3.6B) and Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation ($2.6B). They may be based in any state.
- Which agency spends the most on contracts in Illinois?
- The Department of Defense obligated $21.9B on contracts performed in Illinois, 58% of the total. Next were the Department of Energy and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
- What industries get the most federal contracts in Illinois?
- By contract dollars: research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (NAICS 541710, $3.5B), all other miscellaneous manufacturing (NAICS 339999, $2.9B) and service establishment equipment and supplies merchant wholesalers (NAICS 423850, $2.8B).
- Is federal contract spending in Illinois growing?
- Federal contract obligations for work in Illinois fell 9% from FY2024 ($13.4B) to FY2026 ($12.2B). FY2026 closed recently, and Defense Department contracts are reported up to 90 days late, so its total may still rise.
- How do I find government contracts in Illinois?
- Filter open federal bids on SAM.gov (or the open bids page here) by place of performance in Illinois. For state government contracts, use the Illinois state procurement portal, and check your city and county websites for local bids.