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Illinois General Assembly --
Bassi: Manufacturers’ Caucus to Help Create More Quality Jobs
Springfield, IL (April 11, 2006) -- State Representative Suzie Bassi Monday said she is pleased to be a part of an initiative aimed at improving the manufacturing industry and creating and retaining high-paying jobs in Illinois. Bassi said the formation of a new bi-partisan Manufacturers’ Caucus will address the factors that are hampering the growth of the manufacturing industry in our state.
“Illinois has a large manufacturing industry which is struggling to compete with companies in other states,” said Bassi. “This caucus has been created to determine how factors negatively affecting our manufacturing industry can be eliminated and what programs we can institute to help Illinois businesses thrive and the job market grow.”
Illinois has lost 31,819 manufacturing jobs in the past 12 months, according to the 2006 Illinois Manufacturers Directory. Although Illinois is home to 22,365 manufacturing companies employing more than 1 million workers, the state’s top manufacturing industries continue to lose plants.
“The Manufacturers’ Caucus will assist businesses in connecting with one another to share to problems and solutions as well as products to help businesses grow and jump-start Illinois’ economy,” said Bassi.
Caucus members also will discuss industry improvements such as administering an online site to link Illinois suppliers to other companies in our state; providing training and apprenticeship programs to recruit a younger workforce to the industry; and possibly offering tax incentives for Illinois companies who buy from other Illinois manufacturers.
“Manufacturing companies provide high-paying jobs with benefits,” said Bassi. “We must help businesses network and share technology to ensure that they can continue to provide quality jobs for Illinois families.”
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