NW Illinois News

Senator Andrew Chesney acknowledged his 'Champion of Manufacturing' selection, saying, "I will continue to advocate for these vital job creators!" in a Sept. 16 Facebook post.

"I'm pleased to announce that I was recently named a Champion of Manufacturing based on my voting record as it pertains to Illinois manufacturers and the business community at large," said Chesney, State Senator, according to Facebook. "I will continue to advocate for these vital job creators!"

In his Facebook post, Chesney shared a link to a news release on his website, which expanded on the statement. According to the news release, "Manufacturing is a key pillar of the Illinois economy, and it is an honor to be recognized for my work in the General Assembly that benefits manufacturers and the business community as a whole. I will continue to advocate for these job creators and will support initiatives that help manufacturers grow and thrive," said Chesney.

Screenshot of State Sen. Andrew Chesney's Sept. 16 Facebook post | Senator Andrew Chesney's Facebook page

The Illinois Manufacturing Association (IMA) rates lawmakers based on votes that would support the state’s manufacturing industry. "Illinois manufacturers appreciate Senator Chesney, who has a strong record of supporting policies vital to advancing the industry and growing our economy," said IMA Vice President of Government Affairs Donovan Griffith. "We’re proud to count on Senator Chesney as a member of the manufacturing majority in the Illinois General Assembly and look forward to continued partnership."

According to the IMA legislative report card, during the 2023-2024 legislative session, there were 9,831 bills introduced. Of those, the IMA lobbied and tracked 1,439, and 16 senators scored 80% or above when it came to the bills that were important to IMA. The document revealed that Chesney scored an 83%. Some of the bills that IMA supported included Senate Bill 76, which lifted the moratorium on construction of nuclear power plants; Senate Bill 1289, which established a regulatory framework to advance carbon capture and storage; and Senate Bill 2682, which created the Increasing Representation of Women in Technology Task Force Act.

Andrew S. Chesney has represented the people of Illinois' 45th Senate District since 2022. Prior to that, he represented the 89th District from December 2018 onward. He has served as an elected member of Freeport City Council and has been a past board member of Regional Access Mobilization Project (RAMP), an organization providing support services and advocacy for people with disabilities. He is also a former mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters, according to his official biography.