HR1139 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1139 LRB100 22141 MST 40540 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Steel has always been a core part of the industry and manufacturing sector of the United States; in Illinois, the steel industry employs over 9,000 workers and supports approximately 64,000 jobs; and

WHEREAS, At its height in the 1940s and 1950s, American steel accounted for about 40% of production worldwide, and the industry employed over 650,000 workers; today, China has taken over the steel market, producing 49% of the 1.7 billion metric tons produced globally in 2017, while the United States ranked fifth with 5% of production; and

WHEREAS, China's overwhelming grip on the industry has forced prices down and pushed American companies out of business, leading to the layoff of thousands of American workers; and

WHEREAS, Currently, there are approximately 140,000 Americans working in the steel industry, a decline of over 500,000 from the industry's peak; and

WHEREAS, The U.S. is the world's top importer of steel; in 2017, we imported 36 million metric tons of steel, while only producing 10.1 million metric tons; and

WHEREAS, The total U.S. trade deficit with China was $375 billion in 2017; and

WHEREAS, Despite these troubling trends, public contracts continue to be awarded to Chinese companies that have undercut our market with predatory prices; the Chicago Transit Authority recently awarded a $1.3 billion contract for new rail cars to the Chinese CRRC Corporation, further undermining U.S. steel; and

WHEREAS, American tax dollars should be used to back American companies, support American jobs, build up our infrastructure and encourage long term growth in our industry and manufacturing sector; and

WHEREAS, Illinois should implement a "Buy America" policy which would give preference to American companies for publicly funded infrastructure projects; such a policy would improve our infrastructure, create jobs, and give Illinois a tool to use against unfair pricing from foreign companies; and

WHEREAS, Illinois should also institute a "Buy Illinois" policy, which would give further preference to companies located in Illinois; both such policies have been introduced in the House by Representative Jay Hoffman as HB 4574 and HB 4575; and

WHEREAS, It is within our power to fight back against Chinese control of the steel market by using taxpayer dollars to support American jobs, families, and communities; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize the importance of steel to manufacturing base of the United States, and we support American steel workers and American steel companies; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the State of Illinois should implement a "Buy America" and a "Buy Illinois" policy, which would help grow the steel industry, create jobs, build the middle class, and protect American companies and workers.