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(The Center Square) – To mark October as Manufacturing Month, state officials on Wednesday touted the thousands of manufacturing jobs in Illinois, but an industry official paints a different picture .
State officials celebrated the 40th new manufacturing announcement this year in Illinois, with the announcement that a magnesium casting plant in Dixmoor is expanding, creating 40 jobs.
Chicago Magnesium Casting Co., founded in 1953, manufactures castings for helicopters, jet fighters, jumbo transports and regional jets used to support the military and commercial aerospace industry.
Governor JB Pritzker said the announcement followed a series of measures taken by his administration to attract more investment and growth in the manufacturing sector.
“In partnership with the General Assembly, we have implemented a corporate apprenticeship tax credit, encouraging investment in the creation of new jobs and the development of the workforce,” said Pritzker.
Sylvia Garcia, acting director of the Department of Trade and Economic Opportunities, expects growth in Illinois’ manufacturing sector.
“Applicable
Mark Denzler, president and CEO of the Illinois Manufacturers Association, said Illinois is not developing like its neighbors.
“Just look at what has happened to Illinois over the past ten years, since January 2011 we have lost 19,000 manufacturing jobs,†Denzler said.
In contrast, he said Indiana over the same period gained 75,000 manufacturing jobs. He said Michigan, Missouri, Kentucky and Wisconsin also created manufacturing jobs during this time.
“We have the second highest property taxes in the country,†Denzler said. “The Governor and the General Assembly just added a significant cost to the electric bills that manufacturers and residents of Illinois are going to face, so there are a number of challenges that Illinois manufacturers face. face to be competitive. “
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