17 Photos
Successful applicants to the first round of the Jacksonville Region’s MakeMyMove program gathered at Jacksonville Regional Economic Development Corporation’s Investor Appreciation Event. Pictured left to right: Lance, Cade, Emma, Jacksonville Mayor Andy Ezard, Elena, Nathan and JREDC President Kristin Jamison.
17 Photos
Successful applicants to the first round of the Jacksonville Region’s MakeMyMove program gathered at Jacksonville Regional Economic Development Corporation’s Investor Appreciation Event. Pictured left to right: Lance, Cade, Emma, Jacksonville Mayor Andy Ezard, Elena, Nathan and JREDC President Kristin Jamison.
Recruiting Now
Illinois

Build Your Career in Jacksonville, Illinois! (In-Person Jobs)

$5,000 cash for relocation
One complimentary Heartland Bank and Trust Company checking account
Personal guided tour of Jacksonville schools by superintendent and real estate consultation with The Yates Team at The Real Estate Group, Inc.
Three months of fiber broadband service from Illinois Electric Cooperative, i3 Broadband or Cass Communications (must be located in service territory)
9-hole round of golf with cart for four at Plum Creek Golf Course, an 18-hole round of golf with cart and lunch for two at the Jacksonville Country Club, a 9-hole round of golf for two at K’s Creek Golf Course, and 2 foursomes with cart and lunch at the Jacksonville Links Golf Course.
Two-hour Kayak rental on Lake Mauvaisterre with up to 4 kayaks from the Jacksonville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
Family season pass to the Jacksonville Speedway, a three-month gym membership at Fitness World Health Club, a $100 gift certificate for The Rural Cyclery and a 30-minute individual baseball/softball hitting lesson at Jamison’s Future Swings
Steak dinner for two and arcade game card at Future Champions Sports Complex, a one-hour ax throwing session at The Vault and a $100 gift certificate for Placke’s
Two tickets to the Art Association of Jacksonville Lawn Party at the Strawn Art Gallery and a $100 gift card to Don's Place for drinks and snacks during Thursday Night Crab Races
A “Jacksonville swag” basket from the Jacksonville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, a basket of Hefty, One-Zip and Reynolds Consumer Products
Total Incentive
$9,000

Description

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.

James Gaudio Finds His Future in Jacksonville

“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

Your Welcome Package

When you relocate to The Jacksonville Region through MakeMyMove, you’ll receive a generous welcome package designed to help you settle in, explore, and feel right at home. Each item is meant to connect you with the community, add a little fun, and make your move smoother and more exciting! See above for a list of incentives 🌟

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

The Jacksonville Region: Where Careers and Community Meet

This is more than just a new job—it’s an opportunity to build a meaningful life in a region that values connection, creativity, and a genuine sense of belonging. In the Jacksonville Region, professional growth goes hand in hand with personal fulfillment. Here, local employers are invested in your success, neighbors become friends, and community pride runs deep.

Whether you’re advancing your career or planting new roots, you’ll find a place that supports your ambitions while offering the comfort of small-town charm and the energy of a region on the rise. The Jacksonville Region is where your work has purpose, your connections have meaning, and your future feels right at home.

You’re Not on Your Own

Relocating is a major step — but you won’t do it alone. Jacksonville offers relocation support, access to employers, and introductions to local networks and community leaders who want you to succeed. Start the process today and make the move with confidence.

Jacksonville, IL

This program is sponsored by The Jacksonville Regional Economic Development Corporation


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

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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.
Explore places eager to welcome you
Personalized help to find the right fit
Connect with locals
Access the kind of support you need

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.

How MakeMyMove Works

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

Testimonials that show Authentic Community Snapshots and Local Voices, Real Experiences
Find Your Program & Apply

Browse relocation programs designed to warmly welcome new residents. With QuickApply, you can connect with a program in just minutes.

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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.

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Stay in the loop

We'll notify you with any updates on this program.