SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Recognizing the important economic contribution of local steel mills and their employees, state Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, is encouraging Illinois agencies to purchase steel made in Illinois.

“We should be making every effort to buy and use the high-quality steel made here in Illinois,” Stuart said. “The steel industry has been an important economic factor for our region. When we buy steel that is made here, we help to support the hardworking men and women who make the material needed to build our communities.”

Stuart is backing House Resolution 372, which identifies the economic importance of Illinois steel. Overproduction and artificially low prices from foreign markets has hurt American production, which is why House Resolution 372 is advocating that preference be given to local steel for publicly-funded infrastructure projects. The Chicago Transit Authority recently decided to buy steel for its new railcars from a Chinese manufacturer, sending dollars overseas instead of back to the people of Illinois.

“It’s ridiculous that the Chicago Transit Authority decided to use Chinese-made steel ahead of steel made in Illinois,” Stuart said. “As an agency that receives taxpayer assistance, such a move was unacceptable. We need to do a better job of prioritizing our workers, and recognizing this resolution is a step in that direction.”