AbbVie To Bring 300 New Jobs Through $380M Investment In New Pharmaceutical Plants

NORTH CHICAGO, IL — AbbVie plans to invest $380 million to build two new active pharmaceutical ingredient manufacturing facilities at its North Chicago location, which will create 300 new full-time jobs, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced this past week.

“AbbVie’s decision to expand here is a testament to Illinois’ position as a leader in biomanufacturing, while also creating hundreds of well-paying jobs,” Pritzker said. “With our world-class workforce, cutting-edge infrastructure, and strong research ecosystem, this expansion underscores why Illinois is the ideal location for innovation and growth. Together, we are advancing pharmaceutical manufacturing and R&D to build a stronger economic future for communities throughout Illinois.”

Investing in industries, such as life sciences and advanced manufacturing, is part of Pritzker's plan to drive long-term economic growth in Illinois. The $380 million investment by AbbVie "further solidifies Illinois’ reputation as a global hub for these sectors," according to a news release from the governor's office.

The new facilities will integrate advanced manufacturing technologies with artificial intelligence to support the production of AbbVie's next-generation neuroscience and obesity medications, according to AbbVie officials.

Construction will begin in spring 2026, with both new facilities expected to be fully operational in 2029, and AbbVie plans to hire 300 people in North Chicago to support the venture, including engineers, scientists, manufacturing operators and lab technicians.

“This investment is part of AbbVie’s $100 billion commitment to U.S. R&D and capital investments over the next decade,” said Robert A. Michael, chairman and CEO of AbbVie. “By expanding our U.S. manufacturing capabilities, we’re strengthening our ability to support innovative research and deliver next-generation medicines to patients worldwide.”

Active pharmaceutical ingredient manufacturing is a complex, multi-step process that involves producing the active components responsible for a medication's therapeutic effects. Over the past six months, AbbVie has announced plans to significantly expand its API manufacturing
capabilities and capacity in the U.S.

In September 2025, AbbVie broke ground on the first phase of this investment, a new chemical synthesis facility that will enable the return of API production for select neuroscience, immunology and oncology products from Europe and Asia to the U.S., according to the AbbVie news release.

In the last six months, AbbVie has committed $575 million to North Chicago, including a previously announced $195 million investment to build a new chemical synthesis API manufacturing facility, adding 50 full-time jobs.

“The state of Illinois is proud to support AbbVie in expanding advanced manufacturing and creating hundreds of high-quality jobs,” said DCEO Director Kristin Richards. “This partnership aligns with our economic development goals, keeping Illinois at the forefront of innovation and manufacturing excellence.”

In addition to its planned investments in Illinois, AbbVie recently announced plans to acquire a device manufacturing facility in Arizona and to make significant investments at its manufacturing facility in Massachusetts, according to AbbVie officials.