SR0087 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0087 LRB096 04534 RLJ 14588 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, It is critically important for job-creation and job-retention that the Illinois Domestic Products Act be observed in the use of public funds for investment in our nation's aging infrastructure, especially in Illinois where manufacturing is essential to the State's economy; and

WHEREAS, All State agencies are urged to discourage the outsourcing of manufacturing and the purchasing of products to the detriment of U.S. suppliers, including suppliers located in Illinois servicing those industries and businesses that receive public sector financial assistance; and

WHEREAS, Leaders of the National Governors Association (NGA) and the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCLS) have called on the new administration and Congress to take early action on the severely weakened economy, mired in what is estimated to be the most serious economic downturn in 30 years; the economic downturn is causing high unemployment and accompanying hardships for American workers and their families, including families in Illinois where the unemployment rate is escalating; and

WHEREAS, Congress is drafting economic recovery legislation for the President to sign as soon as possible; this "economic stimulus" legislation is expected to channel billions of dollars in state block grants to help economically stressed states take immediate action to initiate significant job creation through massive public works investments to rebuild our nation's aging infrastructure including: roads and accompanying guardrails, utility poles, rest areas, maintenance buildings, highway bridges, energy pipelines, rail and air transportation networks, electrical grid expansion, water and sewerage improvements, environmentally friendly nonresidential renovation, new construction of state-of-the-art schools and hospitals, and other vital infrastructure needs; and

WHEREAS, Modernizing and upgrading Illinois' statewide infrastructure system will improve the overall quality of life for all Illinois families, create significant new job opportunities and economic growth, and help revitalize and advance Illinois' manufacturing sector; in Illinois, the manufacturing industries are huge purchasers of State goods and services including the following goods and services: health care, education and training, utility generated electricity, natural gas and alternative fuels, and advanced technology to enhance competitiveness and environmental quality; and

WHEREAS, Illinois has taken previous efforts through the Procurement of Domestic Products Act to encourage the use of domestically manufactured products in public works, and it is now critically important that all State agencies do everything possible to enforce these provisions; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that all State agencies are encouraged, whenever possible, to purchase domestically made products for any construction project or other procurement funded by the State; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Illinois Procurement Policy Board work with all chief procurement officers to advance the purchase of domestic products, including those made in Illinois, through all necessary means, including collaboration between agencies, the proposal of rules, and the creation of a list of domestically made products commonly procured using State funds; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be delivered to the Illinois Procurement Policy Board, the President of the United States, and all members of the Illinois congressional delegation.