Illinois State Rep. Amy Elik (R-Alton) joined the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association (IMA) in support of its legislative agenda, which advocates for measures that would strengthen manufacturing in Illinois by supporting students and families entering the workforce.
“I’m proud to partner with the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association on these important issues concerning career training education and increasing access to childcare,” Elik stated. “Illinois must continue to explore ways to build career pathways for students and remove barriers that make it difficult for students and parents to enter the workforce.”
Elik sponsored the bipartisan House Bill 3307, which would allow students to take two years of career training education in place of two years of foreign language study.
She also sponsored House Bill 4670, which would allow 10 manufacturers to open on-site childcare centers at no cost to their employees. Additionally, IMA seeks to bring grants and incentives to employers opening childcare centers in designated childcare deserts.
“The lack of available childcare is a hindrance to attracting and keeping people, especially women, in the workforce,” Elik stated. “We believe that this pilot program is very unique, but it will be a way for employers to provide a key benefit to their employees and to bring more people to the workforce, which improves manufacturing in Illinois for decades to come.”
The IMA partnered with members of the General Assembly to form a bipartisan and bicameral Illinois Manufacturing Caucus to focus on issues that impact the industry. Elik serves as co-chair.
Manufacturing serves as the largest contributor of any industry to Illinois’ Gross Domestic Product, contributing more than $580 billion to the state’s economy every year. Elik is calling on lawmakers to adopt policies that aid manufacturers in hiring and retaining qualified workers.
Mark Denzler, president and CEO of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association, expressed concern that manufacturing companies will leave Illinois for more favorable states.
“Illinois has a proud manufacturing history, but we cannot rest on our laurels as other states implement policies that incentivize manufacturers to locate outside of our borders,” Denzler stated. “We must harness our talent to build a workforce of the future and embrace technology that is poised to solve some of the world’s most pressing challenges. Manufacturers across Illinois look forward to working collaboratively with lawmakers to get the job done.”
IMA is also working with employers, educators and lawmakers to enact policies supporting a skilled workforce, including the creation of a Student Loan Employer Tax Credit. The program would provide employers with a tax credit if they help pay student loan debut for their employees.
IMA also supports a Manufacturing Promise Scholarship Program to provide high school students with free community college education if they are seeking a manufacturing degree, among other programs.
As manufacturers across Illinois seek to fill open positions, it's important we work collaboratively with employers, educators and policy makers to find solutions to our workforce challenges. This includes supporting students through their educational journey and removing barriers that prevent employees from entering the workforce, including a lack of childcare," stated Sarah Hartwick, Vice President of Education & Workforce Policy and Executive Director of the IMA's Education Foundation.