AMERICANS can get thousands of dollars in free money if they're willing to relocate to a US state.
Three cities are handing out cash payments and other tempting perks to try and bolster their declining populations.
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The offer comes as Illinois has reportedly seen a reduction of 240,000 people since the start of 2020, according to new Census figures released this week.
The three small cities offering packages - Jacksonville, Mattoon, and Pittsfield - all have populations under 20,000, making them relatively small compared to the rest of the state.
The cash payment initiatives could help the cities with population stability, economic growth, and improving neighborhoods over time, financial experts told Nexstar affiliate WGN-TV.
However, the deal is not open to everyone, and qualifications vary by city and application.
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The first city offering money is Jacksonville, Illinois, which is located in Morgan County.
This city has a population of 17,600 and sits 40 minutes west of Springfield.
Jacksonville is offering an incentive package worth a total of $9,300, according to MakeMyMove.com.
This package includes $5,000 in cash, $300 in checks from the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce, a teeth-whitening deal, a bank account, a year pass at a local driving range, a three-month gym membership, a steak dinner for two, a Jacksonville "swag-basket," and more.
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To be eligible for this package, the applicant must be at least 18 years old, working remotely for a minimum of $50,000 per year, and currently live 70 miles outside Jacksonville.
For those looking for a better offer, the city of Mattoon is paying even more.
State’s ‘best kept secret’ is paying people $10,000 to move there and it offers the best comfort food & nature trails
The small town, with a population of 16,800 located in Coles County, is halfway between St. Louis, Missouri, and Indianapolis, Indiana.
Their incentive package totals nearly $12,000.
This includes $5,000 cash for relocation, $500 in local restaurant vouchers, $500 in Rural King, and additional gift cards, certificates, and community services.
Other perks include six months of free storage, three credit hours at the local community college, two hours of fun at Zax Trax for five family members, four private music lessons, and more.
The perks alone are valued at a jaw-dropping $11,707.
For this package, the applicant must be at least 18 years old, be a remote worker making at least $45,000 per year, and live 100 miles outside Mattoon.
MONEY MOVES
The last city offering an incentive to move, is Pittsfield, Illinois, located an hour west of Springfield.
This is the smallest town to offer a package, with a population of just over 4,000.
Its package adds up to $6,800.
This includes $5,000 in cash, three months of free high-speed internet, phone, and cable bundle, and three free months of water and sewer utilities.
Eligible transplants can also enjoy a family pass to King Park Pool, six free months of identity theft insurance, a one-year membership to Access Illinois Outdoors, free home inspection, and much more.
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To qualify, you must be at least 18 years old, be a remote worker making at least $65,000 per year, and live 100 miles outside Pittsfield.
Another state that boasts beautiful nature trails and comfort food is offering a whopping $10,000 to remote workers.
Incentive packages
The state of Illinois if offering packages for qualified remote workers willing to move into one of the three cities:
MATTOON (Total Incentive: $11,707)
- $5,000 Cash Towards Moving Expenses
- $500 in Local Restaurant Vouchers
- 1-Year Free Membership at Elevate Coworking Space
- 6-Month Family YMCA Membership
- $500 Rural King Gift Cards
- 6 Months Free - Storage Unit
- $250 Gift Card to Slumberland Furniture
- $200 Professional Headshot with Melissa Harden at Studio 21
- $200 Gift Card to Morgan's Meat Market
- $100 Gift Card to Broadway Appliance & Home Center
- $50 Chamber Bucks
- $20 Gift Card to Alamo Steakhouse
- MarsPetcare Welcome Package
- $1000 Off Car Purchase or $200 Service Gift Card
- 6 Months Free 1GB Internet
- Wellness Assessment from Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Systems
- 2 Hours of Go-Karting & Axe Throwing at Zax Trax for 5 Family Members
- Maranatha Christian Academy Registration Waiver
- 4 Private Music Lessons per-family from Sound Source Music
- 3 Credit Hour Tuition Waivers from Lake Land College
- Douglas-Hart Nature Center: $25 Acorn Level Annual Membership
- All For Them - Latonya's Petcare Services: $200 Credit towards Petcare Services
- Clyde’s Animal Clinic - Free Pet Exam and ID tag
JACKSONVILLE (Total Incentive: $9,300)
- $5,000 cash for relocation
- $300 in “Chamber Checks” compliments of the Jacksonville Area Chamber of Commerce, First National Bank of Arenzville, and People’s Bank & Trust
- Personal guided tour of Jacksonville schools by superintendent and real estate consultation with The Yates Team at The Real Estate Group, Inc.
- One complimentary Heartland Bank and Trust Company checking account
- Three months of fiber broadband service from Illinois Electric Cooperative, i3 Broadband or Cass Communications (must be located in service territory)
- One teeth whitening package at Central Park Dentistry
- A one-year driving range pass 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 two foursomes with cart and lunch at the Jacksonville Links Golf Course.
- A 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 Guided tour of the Emma Mae Leonard Wildlife Sanctuary and Nature Trail by tree expert Pat Ward
- A “Jacksonville swag” basket from the Jacksonville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau and a basket of Hefty, One-Zip, and Reynolds Consumer Products.
PITTSFIELD (Total Incentive: $6,800)
- $5,000 cash for relocation
- 3 Free Months of High-Speed Internet, Phone & TV Bundle
- 3 Free Months of Water and Sewer Utilities
- Family Pool Pass to King Park Pool
- Free 6 Months of Identity Theft Insurance from Farmers State Bank
- 1 Year Membership to Access Illinois Outdoors
- Disc Golf Starter Kit to try out Pittsfield's Courses
- Free Home Inspection with the Purchase of a Home through PCRE Real Estate & Auction, Inc.
- Have something you're passionate about? Sit on a local service organization's board
- Pittsfield New Neighbor Network - You will be partnered with a local who will take you under their wing and show you the best Pittsfield has to offer!
- Upcoming: Access to Incubator Offices and Conference Room Space
- City of Pittsfield Welcome Basket
