SR0302 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0302 LRB104 13522 ECR 25989 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Illinois is currently home to 13,597 manufacturers employing around 724,309 workers, making it among the largest industrial states in the U.S.; and

WHEREAS, Manufacturing is credited with adding $135.1 billion value added to the State's economy, comprising 12.3% of Illinois' GDP; and

WHEREAS, Approximately 543,000 workers, or 75% of the individuals in the manufacturing industry, are employed by manufacturers with less than 500 employees; and

WHEREAS, Small and midsize manufacturers continue to be crucial to Illinois' economic health; and

WHEREAS, In l925, a group of eight Chicago-area manufacturers came together to establish an association in order to provide support and encouragement to small and midsize manufacturers, naming it the Die, Tool, Special Machinery and Manufacturers Association before it became known as the Technology & Manufacturing Association (TMA); and

WHEREAS, The TMA began providing support for those establishing new businesses, motivating them to network with each other and share both energy and expertise as the manufacturing industry entered the 21st century; and

WHEREAS, The TMA, now at 100 years of age, continues to support and defend small and midsize manufacturers in Illinois and surrounding states as technology becomes more and more advanced; and

WHEREAS, It is important for the State of Illinois to remain committed to supporting our manufacturers, encouraging their growth and prosperity, and raising public awareness to inspire the next generation of manufacturers as manufacturing, along with farming and mining, continue to be major industries of wealth creation in our State and the U.S.; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the Technology & Manufacturing Association (TMA) on its 100th anniversary of leading and supporting small and midsize manufacturers.