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The Jacksonville region is currently in the second round of its Make My Move talent attraction program, offering a $9,000 incentive package for skilled professionals willing to relocate to Morgan or Scott County in Illinois.
The Jacksonville Regional Economic Development Corporation (JREDC) is focusing its recruitment on professionals in engineering, manufacturing, healthcare, legal, accounting and education.
The talent attraction program will continue to strengthen Jacksonville’s workforce by enticing qualified candidates to fill critical roles in the region’s employers and institutions. So far, seven new residents have moved to Morgan or Scott counties since the program launched in May 2024.
To qualify, applicants must:
• Earn at least $70,000 annually
• Live at least 70 miles outside the Jacksonville region at the time of application
• Relocate their primary residence to Morgan or Scott County within six months
• Remain a resident for at least one year to receive the full $5,000 cash portion of the incentive
• Priority consideration is given to candidates taking local jobs in targeted industries, though remote workers are still eligible.
The targeted industries align with Jacksonville’s current and future workforce needs. Each plays a critical role in supporting the region’s economic stability, from industrial production to healthcare access to educational leadership.
• Engineering
• Manufacturing
• Healthcare
• Legal
• Accounting
• Education
JREDC staff manage applications to the program through the Make My Move platform. Interested professionals should review current job openings in Jacksonville’s targeted industries, confirm eligibility and submit documentation demonstrating income, current residency and relocation plans.
Regional employers are urged to use the relocation incentive program as a competitive hiring tool to attract high-quality talent. While the program is attracting attention from prospective talent, local employers can use it to help bolster their recruitment efforts.
Used strategically, this incentive can give companies in engineering, manufacturing, healthcare, legal, accounting and education industries a measurable advantage in securing top candidates.
Employers can present the incentive package in the same way as a sign-on bonus, with clear details about how and when it is paid. This transparency helps candidates see its immediate value and compare it directly with competing offers in other markets.
A $9,000 relocation incentive is rare in markets of Jacksonville’s size. When competing against employers in nearby metros, employers are able to position this program as a cost-offset for relocation expenses, temporary housing or other move-related costs. This incentive can be particularly persuasive for candidates evaluating offers in comparable salary ranges.
Make My Move brings fresh faces to the Jacksonville region
When Emily Clough and her family left Muskego, Wisconsin, for Jacksonville, they were looking for much more than a change of address. Remote work had opened the door, but proximity to family and the chance for a slower pace of life made Jacksonville the clear choice.
Her husband’s cousin introduced her to the Make My Move program, which offered a financial incentive to support relocation. “It was a big help,” Clough said. “We probably would have moved anyway, but it made the process easier and helped us settle in faster.”
Clough describes Jacksonville as “a larger small town,” a place with strong community ties and easy connections. “We see familiar faces at the grocery store, and that makes you feel at home,” she said. The surrounding farmland, open views and lack of urban congestion were a welcome change from her previous locations in Illinois and Wisconsin.
The Make My Move program helped offset the cost of relocating and was the perfect way to introduce Clough’s family to local restaurants, events and activities, which quickly made them feel part of the community. “When you’re new, you don’t always know where to start. This program gave us direction,” she said.
Working remotely as a deputy project analyst manager for Brown and Caldwell, Emily manages wastewater remediation projects for the New York Department of Environmental Protection. The location change did not disrupt her career, but it did improve her family’s daily life.
“We plan to be here for the long term, at least until our kids are grown,” she said. The family has embraced local events, such as Friday Night Downtown Concert Series, and appreciates seasonal offerings like Oktoberfest and the farmers’ market.
While JREDC’s talent attraction campaign is designed to offer relocation support, more importantly, it helps individuals integrate quickly into the Jacksonville region’s professional and community networks. Clough said the town’s size makes family activities more enjoyable. “Events aren’t overwhelming here,” she explained. “You don’t have to fight big-city crowds to have a good time.”
Her children, ages three and under, have adjusted well. “Our daycare has been great, and we’re excited for our daughter to start pre-K,” she said. Neighborhood connections have come naturally, with informal gatherings and new friendships forming quickly.
Similarly, when James Gaudio and his wife decided to relocate to Jacksonville, the decision was based on family ties and a desire for a stronger sense of community. “My wife is from Jacksonville, and we spent years visiting her family here. I promised her I would move her back one day, and I’ve made good on my promise,” Gaudio said.
Gaudio’s background in manufacturing and engineering proved valuable. With experience in injection molding and root cause analysis, his skills aligned with Jacksonville’s strong industrial base.
“I applied for the incentive as a remote worker at first. Then Kristin [Jamison], who runs the program, asked if she could share my resume with local employers. That’s how I found CCK Automations,” Gaudio explained.
Located less than a mile from his new home, CCK Automations offered Gaudio a role as a process engineer. “It was a no-brainer. The job matched my experience and gave me a chance to contribute to a growing company,” he said.
For Gaudio, Jacksonville’s lifestyle reinforces the decision to stay. “I’m a deer hunter and fisherman. I like the slower pace. Jacksonville has everything you want in a built-up community, without the negatives associated with that of a large city,” he said.
The community welcomed him immediately. Whether connecting with his wife’s family, spending time outdoors in Scott County, or meeting fellow veterans at the American Legion, Gaudio has found a strong sense of belonging. “I feel more at home here than anywhere else I’ve lived,” he said.
Gaudio sees career growth opportunities tied to Jacksonville’s expanding economy. “CCK Automations is a young company, but it is growing. I have seen what happens when small companies grow and I know the opportunities that follow. That gives me confidence about the future,” he said.
The Make My Move incentive program provides more than relocation support. It connects talent with employers in industries that need skilled professionals. Gaudio’s story highlights how the program bridges individual career goals with regional workforce needs.
“Everything lined up here. The move, the job and the community all came together in a way that made sense,” he said.
Partner with JREDC to maximize impact
JREDC can supply digital materials, program FAQs and direct support for employer-led outreach. Employers can also co-market their positions on JREDC channels to reach prospective applicants already exploring relocation to the Jacksonville region.
Employers interested in integrating Make My Move into their recruitment strategy are urged to contact JREDC today to access program materials and discuss co-marketing opportunities. Contact the JREDC at 217-479-4627 or via jredc.org.
The mission of JREDC is to create, expand, recruit and retain job opportunities for Morgan and Scott counties. The investor-based group traces its beginnings to 1964 when the Jacksonville Area Industrial Corporation was formed with the objective of creating jobs by acquiring new industries and assisting the growth of existing industries.
