A letter from IMA President & CEO Mark Denzler:
The Illinois Manufacturers’ Association is BOLDLY MOVING MAKERS FORWARD and stands shoulder to shoulder with American manufacturers who are leading our nation forward as we recover and rebuild from the global pandemic that is reshaping the world around us. The IMA is proudly standing by your side every single day dealing with COVID-19, supply chain issues, health and safety regulations, and every issue impacting manufacturers.
Throughout the last year, as the world continued to deal with COVID-19, the IMA remained your source of timely and accurate information. Whether it was seminars on federal stimulus programs, ever changing mandates, or the President’s proposed ETS standard for employers, the IMA provided information allowing manufacturers to operate safely and in full compliance with rules and regulations.
Importantly, the IMA’s “essential manufacturing” language in the Governor’s Executive Order remained in place allowing companies to continue operating. Because Governor Pritzker’s Executive Order became a national model, our language was used in more than a dozen states. The IMA was honored by the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) for our leadership during the pandemic as “One of 100 Associations Saving the World.”
During 2021, the IMA continued to showcase amazing and innovative manufacturing companies and careers with focused campaigns that included our “Made in Illinois” posters and “Makers Madness – The Coolest Thing Made in Illinois” presented by Comcast Business. Our 2021 Manufacturing Day activities and Makers Hiring promotions showcased wonderful careers as we strive to address the workforce challenge. The IMA Education Foundation embarked on a statewide tour with nine stops to bring together manufacturers, educators, and economic development officials in order to speak with one voice.
Our team worked from the White House to the State House to City Hall to affect public policy decisions including state and federal stimulus legislation. At the State Capitol, the IMA successfully championed a new incentive designed to create an ecosystem for EV manufacturers and supply chain companies. Over eighteen months, our team advocated for manufacturers in an energy debate, which was incredibly important because manufacturers consume one-third of all energy in the United States. We stopped a new workers’ compensation presumption on employers and saved the Manufacturers Purchase Credit from elimination.
Our
2021 Annual Report highlights a year that showcased amazing innovation and resiliency by our state’s manufacturers. Time and treasure are precious commodities, and we value your investment in the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association.
I’m very proud that the IMA is growing stronger every single day with your support and investment.
