Kifowit-Backed Bills Promoting Local Jobs Passes House

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Two pieces of legislation sponsored by state Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, D-Oswego, to keep more of our tax dollars here in Illinois and invest in local jobs by requiring Illinois state agencies to buy locally passed the House Wednesday.

“We have a duty to do everything we can to help promote Illinois and American businesses,” Kifowit said. “These two measures will help ensure that taxpayer dollars are going towards businesses based in Illinois and the United States, not overseas.”

Kifowit’s House Bill 137 mandates that state agencies must prioritize American made products when making any type of purchase of goods. Kifowit is also sponsoring a companion bill, House Bill 138, which mandates that state agencies must show preference to Illinois manufactured goods when making any type of purchase of goods, if possible. If no plausible source is found, they are then required to purchase products made in America. The bills state that the products must be made up of more than 50 percent American or Illinoisan components. Certain restrictions are included, for items such as pharmaceutical drugs or when the price or quality does not meet the standards sought.

“I have been fighting in Springfield for the passage of commonsense measures that lift-up the middle class and create good paying jobs here in our community,” Kifowit said. “I will continue to look for commonsense ways we can protect taxpayer dollars and direct those funds towards creating local jobs.”

Kifowit is also sponsoring legislation to require the Department of Natural Resources and the Historic Preservation Agency to only sell products that are made in the United States. The most prominent location would be the Illinois State Museum. Kifowit’s House Bill 2764 is another way to help highlight some of the businesses that manufacture goods throughout the state and country.

House Bill 137 and 138 both passed out of the House Wednesday and now move to the Senate for further consideration. House Bill 2764 awaits further consideration on the House floor.