Li Arellano, Jr., Illinois State Senator for 37th District | Facebook
Li Arellano, Jr., Illinois State Senator for 37th District | Facebook
October is being observed as Manufacturing Month in Illinois, with a focus on recognizing the state's manufacturing sector and its impact on the economy.
The Illinois Manufacturers’ Association (IMA) reports that manufacturers in Illinois employ over 662,000 people. The IMA also states that the industry contributes $580 billion annually to the state’s economy, making it the largest sector and one of the fastest-growing in the Midwest.
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity says that Illinois is the fourth-largest manufacturing state in the United States, with more than 14,000 manufacturing companies operating across various industries.
Senator Arellano commented on the importance of manufacturers, saying, "From small, family-run businesses to large employers, manufacturers provide good-paying jobs, strengthen local economies, and create opportunities for future generations."
Earlier this month, the IMA and the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center conducted an eight-day bus tour called Makers on the Move. The tour aimed to highlight manufacturers throughout Illinois. A full list of tour stops is available here.
Arellano, a Republican, was elected to the Illinois State Senate in 2025 to represent the state's 37th Senate District. He succeeded Win Stoller as senator.
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