GLEN ELLYN, Ill. – Local business owners recently joined state Rep. Terra Costa Howard, D-Glen Ellyn, and the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association for a roundtable discussion.

“I’m very proud that, in my first session as a state representative, we passed more pro-business legislation than had been passed during the previous four years combined,” Costa Howard said. “As a small business owner, I understand that building a stronger Illinois begins with improving our state’s business climate and creating high-wage jobs. I’m very pleased that so many local business owners joined my roundtable discussion with the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association, and I appreciate their willingness to share their ideas on how we can work together to boost our local and state economy.”

While in Springfield, Costa Howard supported several reforms and initiatives designed to support Illinois manufacturers, including the Manufacturing and Machinery Equipment Exemption and the extension of the Research & Development credit. She also supported creation of the Apprenticeship Education Tax Credit and elimination of the corporate Franchise Tax.

For more information, please contact Rep. Costa Howard’s constituent service office at RepTCH48@gmail.com or 630-812-9292.

GLEN ELLYN, Ill. – State Rep. Terra Costa Howard, D-Glen Ellyn, is partnering with the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association to host a business roundtable discussion later this month, to invite the business community’s input into new bipartisan legislation that could promote economic development and create jobs.  

“I am committed to building a stronger Illinois, and that task begins with strengthening our economy, developing a skilled, well-educated workforce, and creating new jobs,” said Costa Howard. “As a small business owner myself, I know how important it is for legislators to understand the needs of the local business community. So I am inviting members of our business community to come in, start a conversation, and share their best ideas for new legislation that will help to make the State of Illinois a trusted partner in promoting business growth and development.”

Costa Howard’s roundtable, which will include a representative from the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association, will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 22 at Innovation DuPage, at 535 Duane St. in Glen Ellyn.

During her first session in Springfield, Costa Howard supported numerous business-friendly reforms and initiatives, including creation of the Apprenticeship Education Tax Credit and elimination of the corporate Franchise Tax.

“Manufacturing is a critical component of Illinois’ economy,” said Mark Denzler, President & Chief Executive Officer of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association. “We appreciate Rep. Costa Howard for working in a bipartisan manner to balance the state’s budget and reduce taxes on manufacturers while making a large investment to rebuild our state’s infrastructure.”

For more information, or to RSVP, please contact Rep. Costa Howard’s constituent service office at RepTCH48@gmail.com or 630-812-9292.

BARTLETT, Ill. – Continuing her efforts to boost the local economy and create new jobs, state Rep. Karina Villa, D-West Chicago, recently joined the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association (IMA) to present the Employer Training Investment Program (ETIP) grant to Wittenstein, a local manufacturer of motors, gearboxes and controls, on behalf of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO).

“To build a stronger Illinois and a stronger middle class, it is critical that we invest in job training to build a skilled workforce and a high-wage economy,” said Villa. “Our state is facing a major shortage of workers for skilled, high-wage jobs. This grant will help Wittenstein continue to attract and retain the next generation of skilled workers.”

Villa was supportive of a major package of new laws to attract new businesses to the state and grow Illinois’ economy, including the elimination of the franchise tax, tax credits for businesses that create new jobs, and a tax credit for businesses with apprenticeship programs.

“Manufacturing is a critical component of Illinois’ economy,” said Mark Denzler, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association. “We appreciate Rep. Villa for working in a bipartisan manner to balance the state’s budget and reduce taxes on manufacturers while making a large investment to rebuild our state’s infrastructure.”

For more information, please contact Rep. Villa’s constituent service office at 630-326-9319 or at StateRepKarinaVilla@gmail.com.

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. – Partnering with the Schaumburg Business Association and the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association, state Rep. Michelle Mussman, D-Schaumburg, is inviting small business owners to join her for a roundtable discussion to talk about their ideas on how to improve the local business climate.

“I understand that small businesses are vital to our local economy, so I worked in a bipartisan manner to pass several crucial new laws that will improve the business climate in Illinois and attract new businesses to our state,” said Mussman. “Building a stronger Illinois begins with building a stronger middle-class, creating new jobs and building a high-wage economy.”

Mussman is inviting local small business owners to her roundtable discussion with the Schaumburg Business Association and the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association on Wednesday, Sept. 11 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Chicago Prime Italian Restaurant, located at 1370 Bank Dr. in Schaumburg. Business owners and those interested in started a small business are welcome to attend.

“I look forward to a great discussion on the important pro-business legislation that I helped pass this spring, like the elimination of the franchise tax, as well as local business owners’ ideas on how we can work together to grow the economy,” Mussman said. “I invite local business owners to join me for my upcoming roundtable discussion. I hope to see you there!”

MENDOTA, Ill- Continuing his work to improve the business climate in Illinois, state Rep. Lance Yednock, D-Ottawa, and representative from the Illinois Manufacturers Association (IMA) recently toured Black Bros Co., which is specializes in creating laminating machines.

“Places like Black Bros provide the high wage jobs that can help build a better middle class and a stronger Illinois,” Yednock said. “Illinois can do more to attract businesses to relocate here, and that is why I support creating new tax credits that invest in businesses that invest in Illinois jobs like Black Bros. 

Black Bros co. designs and manufactures laminating and coating machinery which is shipped internationally from the company’s plant in Mendota. Yednock met with the business leaders to discuss new actions Illinois can take to attract new employers while providing resources to current employers to hire new jobseekers. Yednock supported both House Bill 2093 and House Bill 1594 to offer tax credits to businesses who hire new employees.

“Manufacturing is a critical component of Illinois’ economy,” said Mark Denzler, President & Chief Executive Officer of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association. “We appreciate Rep. Yednock for working in a bipartisan manner to balance the state’s budget and reduce taxes on manufacturers while making a large investment to rebuild our state’s infrastructure.”

ALTON, Ill. – In support of local steel workers and Illinois manufacturing jobs, state Rep. Monica Bristow, D-Alton and state Sen. Rachelle Crowe, D-Glen Carbon, visited Alton Steel Inc. (ASI) to join the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association (IMA) in the presentation of a grant to help train workers on new technologies.

“Alton Steel and other manufacturing companies have long been the backbone of the Riverbend economy and continue to be major economic engines in the area,” said Bristow. “These are constantly changing industries, and that is why I am proud we are investing in the training to keep us as a leading manufacturing force.”

On Wednesday, Bristow and Crowe joined Randy Prince from IMA to present ASI with  a $10,000 grant for the Employee Training Investment Program (ETIP). The General Assembly made appropriations to ETIP for the IMA to award to Illinois-based manufacturers across the state. This grant is to help fund training for workers seeking to upgrade their skills on new technologies and business practices. Bristow and Crowe were also able to meet with ASI leadership to talk more about ASI and what they are doing to improve manufacturing in the area.