By Chicago Times Magazine –
February 07, 2025
Governor JB Pritzker joined Freedman Seating Company and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) today to announce a $4 million investment in the company’s Chicago manufacturing facility. The investment will create 50 new full-time jobs and retain 676 existing positions.
Freedman Seating Company, a nearly 100-year-old business located in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood, will use the funds for site improvements and new manufacturing equipment at its 650,000-square-foot plant. The investment is bolstered by an Economic Development for a Growing Economy (EDGE) agreement with the state.
Founded in 1893, Freedman Seating Company has evolved from producing seats for horse-drawn carriages to becoming one of the world’s largest specialty seating manufacturers. The company engineers and manufactures approximately 2,000 seats per day for various markets, including bus, rail, marine, delivery truck, and commercial vehicles.
The company’s investment will boost operational efficiency, expand capabilities, and allow for better service to customers, contributing significantly to the transportation industry. The project also aims to develop local talent through skilled job creation and training opportunities.
The EDGE tax credit is part of a comprehensive incentive package that includes Freedman Seating Company’s $4 million investment. In 2024, companies in the EDGE program committed more than $650 million in investments across Illinois communities.
