Yednock Advances Legislation to Support Illinois-Made Products

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – To help stimulate job growth in Illinois, state Rep. Lance Yednock, D-Ottawa, passed a legislative proposal on Wednesday that would require the state to buy products made in Illinois, helping create and support local jobs and keeping taxpayer dollars in state.
“By prioritizing products that are manufactured here in Illinois, we are supporting local jobs that employ those who live and work in our state,” said Yednock. “When the state makes a purchase using taxpayer dollars, then those dollars should remain in our country and state. This is not only an investment in local companies, but also the local families that own them and work here.”
Yednock is sponsoring House Bill 357, which requires state agencies to purchase Illinois-manufactured products in the process of buying products or goods, if possible. If Illinois products are not available, agencies are then required to purchase American-made products. Yednock’s legislative agenda includes the strong promotion of local jobs and promoting the purchase of Illinois and American-made products by state agencies.
“As we continue to look at new ways to get our state’s economy back on track, one of the first steps is by supporting local businesses and industries, which in turn supports local jobs and employees,” said Yednock. “It’s more than reasonable to ask state agencies, when they are making purchases with taxpayer funds, to give preference to Illinois and American-made products. This will help us to be competitive while also supporting the hard-working men and women of our state.”
House Bill 357 passed the Illinois House of Representatives on Wednesday and now heads to the Senate for consideration.