A health insurance exchange, GoHealth LLC, is adding 90,000 square feet at the Merchandise Mart in Chicago, Illinois, as it expands to serve the influx of Americans shopping for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act. The company plans to create 450 jobs by the end of the year, more than doubling its workforce.

The firm was recently appointed by the federal government as a web-broker to help enroll tax-subsidy eligible individuals. It needs to expand its office complex and hire more workers to help integrate and support its own platform with health insurance carriers’ systems and the federal government’s technology hub. The company is hiring software engineers, project managers and software architects, as well as licensed benefit advisors and operations positions.

“We are committed to growing in Illinois because we have access to a large pool of talented employees,” GoHealth CEO and Co-Founder Clint Jones said. “Both the EDGE corporate tax income credits based on job creation and the ETIP job training funds to enhance worker skills will make it possible for us to continue to grow right here at home.”

“As we continue to add key jobs in Illinois, we are proud to be a part of the technology community, and to play a critical role in helping people obtain affordable health coverage,” GoHealth President and Co-Founder Brandon Cruz said. “This investment demonstrates the state’s commitment to that same goal.”

“As a longtime advocate of affordable health care, I am encouraged that GoHealth chose Illinois to expand its business in Illinois,” Gov. Pat Quinn said. “With our highly skilled workforce, diverse economy and easy access to the rest of the world, Illinois is an excellent place for businesses to grow and thrive.”

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is providing GoHealth with a targeted investment package that includes tax credits under the Economic Opportunity for a Growing Economy program. The tax credits, which reward job creation, can be used against corporate income taxes to be paid over up to 10 years as long as GoHealth maintains the additional jobs created. GoHealth is also eligible for Employer Training Investment Program grant to help increase the skills of its workforce.

“We are committed to supporting companies like GoHealth that bring technological innovation and jobs to Illinois,” DCEO Director Adam Pollet said. “This expansion not only brings more jobs to our state, but helps make quality, affordable health care more accessible to everyone.”