Mason Passes “Buy American” Act to Support Local Jobs

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State agencies would be required to prioritize American-made products when making purchases under legislation passed out of the Illinois House by state Rep. Joyce Mason, D-Gurnee, to help grow the local economy and expand job opportunities.

“Our tax dollars should be used to support the existing businesses that employ our friends, neighbors and family members, and to create new jobs locally,” said Mason. “We cannot allow Illinois manufacturing to fall by the wayside as American companies are sending more jobs overseas.” 

Mason recently passed House Bill 356, which requires the state to prioritize the purchase of products consisting of at least 50 percent American materials. She is also sponsoring House Bill 357, which goes a step further to keep more of our tax dollars here at home by giving preference to goods manufactured in Illinois over other states. Mason is fighting to put Illinois workers and jobs first, while also returning more taxpayers dollars back into the local economy.

“Prioritizing Illinois industry is pivotal to revitalizing some of the smaller, more rural communities in my district and throughout our state,” said Mason. “Requiring Illinois to buy locally should not be a partisan issue. I am proud to be working with both Republicans and Democrats in the fight to keep our manufacturers strong and growing in Illinois.”

House Bills 356 and 357 have both passed out of the House and now await consideration in the Senate. For more information, please contact Mason’s constituent service office at 847-485-9986 or email info@repjoycemason.com.