Build Your Career in Jacksonville, Illinois! (In-Person Jobs)
AT A GLANCE
Application
QuickApply: Hear back in 1 business day
Package Highlights
Cash, Welcome Gifts & Local Perks, Additional Benefits
Ideal for
Jobseekers ready for a fresh start
Value
Up to $9,000 across 11 benefits
Build Your Career in Jacksonville, Illinois! (In-Person Jobs)
AT A GLANCE
Application
QuickApply: Hear back in 1 business day
Package Highlights
Cash, Welcome Gifts & Local Perks, Additional Benefits
Ideal for
Jobseekers ready for a fresh start
Value
Up to $9,000 across 11 benefits
What’s Included - Up to $9,000 in Value
Explore the incentives and perks included in this program.
Money & Financial Support
$5,000 cash for relocation
Receive a $5,000 cash grant to help ease your relocation expenses as you settle into Jacksonville.
$300 Chamber Checks Shopping Spree
Spend $300 in flexible Chamber Checks across local shops and restaurants, courtesy of the Jacksonville Area Chamber of Commerce, First National Bank of Arenzville, and People’s Bank & Trust.
Gallery
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Welcome Gifts & Local Perks
Complimentary Heartland Bank Checking Account
Open a free checking account with Heartland Bank and Trust Company to manage your local finances with ease.
3 Months of Free Fiber Broadband Service
Stay connected with three complimentary months of high-speed fiber internet from Illinois Electric Cooperative, i3 Broadband, or Cass Communications.
Jacksonville Entertainment & Dining Bundle
Enjoy a steak dinner and arcade card at Future Champions Sports Complex, an hour of axe throwing at The Vault, and a $100 gift certificate to Placke’s
Jacksonville Swag & Household Essentials Baskets
Receive a curated Jacksonville CVB merchandise basket alongside a generous gift basket of household goods from Hefty, One-Zip, and Reynolds Consumer Products.
Gallery
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Memberships & Community
Jacksonville Regional Golf Pass Package
Hit the links with multiple rounds, carts, and lunch passes across Plum Creek Golf Course, Jacksonville Country Club, K’s Creek Golf Course, and Jacksonville Links Golf Course.
Jacksonville Family Sports & Fitness Bundle
Access a season pass to Jacksonville Speedway, a 3-month Fitness World Health Club membership, a $100 Rural Cyclery certificate, and a batting lesson at Jamison’s Future Swings.
Gallery
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Experiences & Attractions
2-Hour Lake Mauvaisterre Kayak Rental for 4
Paddle across scenic Lake Mauvaisterre with a complimentary two-hour rental package for up to four kayaks from the Jacksonville Area CVB.
Strawn Art Gallery Lawn Party Tickets & Don's Place Gift Card
Receive two tickets to the Art Association of Jacksonville Lawn Party at the Strawn Art Gallery plus a $100 gift card for food and drinks during Don's Place Thursday Night Crab Races.
Gallery
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Additional Benefits
School Tour with Superintendent & Real Estate Consultation
Explore neighborhood housing with The Yates Team at The Real Estate Group, Inc. and tour local schools firsthand with the district superintendent.
Gallery
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$9,000Program Value
11 Benefits • Cash Included
Get pre-approved in one business day with Quick Apply.
Am I eligible?
The Jacksonville Region is currently recruiting people who:
Earn at least $70,000 annually
Are 18 years or older
Live at least 70 miles outside of the Jacksonville Region at the time of application for the program
Must relocate primary residence to the Jacksonville Region (Scott County or Morgan County) within 6 months
Will provide employment and residency documentation to determine eligibility
Must be a Jacksonville Region resident for 1 year before receiving the $5,000 cash
Wait just a second while we retrieve your eligibility status for this program.
Wait just a second while we retrieve your eligibility status for this program.
Meet the Program Manager
Jacquie—your dedicated program manager and personal Jacksonville welcome guide! Jacquie works for the Jacksonville Regional Economic Development Corporation, and she’s here to answer your questions and help you feel right at home. Simply submit an application to get in touch.
The Jacksonville Region Program Photo Gallery
Take a closer look at everything this program has to offer, from the location to the benefits to the neighbors.
Living in The Jacksonville Region
Learn about where you could live, before you get there. The below Places are eligible relocation destinations for this Program.
We’ve helped 4,000+ people move since 2021.
We’re welcoming job-seekers to build their careers and lives in the Jacksonville Region!
This program is designed to connect you with local job opportunities and support you as you settle into the community. Along with access to the region’s centralized job board, participants will receive personalized assistance throughout their employment search. We’re excited to help you get started!
Jacksonville, Illinois, is where career growth and small-town charm meet big-city convenience. With beautiful landscapes, vibrant communities, and a rich cultural scene, it’s the perfect place to build your career while enjoying life.
Why Work in the Jacksonville Region?
The Jacksonville Region combines strong career opportunities with small-town warmth and modern convenience. Here’s what you’ll find:
💼 Diverse Career Paths — Opportunities across education, manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, and local business, with employers who value growth and community.
🏠 Affordable Living — Comfortable housing options near great schools, parks, and shopping—everything you need within easy reach.
🌳 Outdoor Escapes — Enjoy nearby Lake Jacksonville for fishing, boating, and camping, or unwind on local trails and green spaces perfect for family adventures.
🎭 Vibrant Culture & Community — Experience a lively arts scene, community festivals, and historic downtown Jacksonville with its unique shops, local restaurants, and welcoming charm.
“I was awarded the incentive as a remote worker at first. Then Kristin [President of JREDC], who runs the program, asked if she could share my résumé with local employers. That’s how I found CCK Automations,” James Gaudio
Opportunity Across Industries
Education & Human Services: With major employers like Illinois School for the Deaf, Illinois College, and Jacksonville School District 117, newcomers can find roles in teaching, student services, interpretation, campus operations, and K–12 support roles. These institutions provide consistent staffing needs and mission-driven work environments.
Healthcare & Social Services: Jacksonville Memorial Hospital (Memorial Health), local clinics, therapy providers, and senior-care facilities offer steady demand for nurses, technicians, administrative support, allied health professionals, and caregivers. Healthcare is one of the region’s largest and most reliable hiring sectors.
Manufacturing & Skilled Trades: Regional manufacturers offer roles in welding, machining, quality control, maintenance tech, and logistics. Skilled trades such as HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and construction also provide hands-on career paths with strong earning potential.
Government, Public Safety & Logistics: State of Illinois agencies employ workers across administration, public safety, social services, corrections, and transportation. Local distribution and logistics centers support supply chain operations, dispatch, warehousing, and inventory roles.
Agriculture, Agribusiness & Food Processing: As part of Illinois’ agricultural core, the region includes farms, grain cooperatives, and food-processing facilities offering roles in agronomy, equipment operation, packaging, sanitation, and plant operations.
Whether you're starting fresh, building new skills, or looking to level up your career — Jacksonville provides steady opportunities across key industries and a community invested in your success.
Discover Careers in Jacksonville, Illinois
Program Sponsors
This program is sponsored by The Jacksonville Regional Economic Development Corporation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is MakeMyMove?
MakeMyMove is the first-ever marketplace connecting movers with relocation programs, provided by communities across the country actively recruiting new residents. We help you find the right place and get there, and we help communities grow through talent attraction.
How much does it cost?
We’re 100% supported by communities. Thanks to their investments, our service is free to folks like you who are thinking about making a move.
Why are communities offering relocation programs?
New residents bring growth, both economically and culturally. Local leaders around the country are recognizing this opportunity and assembling relocation programs that make moves easier and help new residents settle into the community.
Discover Places and Vibes
Get a feel for different cities and towns through the eyes of locals. Insider stories, photos, and Q&A help you connect
Find Your Program & Apply
Browse relocation programs designed to warmly welcome new residents. With QuickApply, you can connect with a program in just minutes.
Track Your Progress
Once you’ve applied, we work alongside your local program team to help you secure your spot, find a home, and settle into your new community.
Stay in the loop
We'll notify you with any updates on this program.