Illinois Manufacturers Celebrate Manufacturing Month with Launch of “Makers on the Move” Bus Tour at The Will Group in Chicago
Tour runs Oct. 3 – 10, will visit manufacturing facilities, colleges and community centers across Illinois to spotlight career opportunities and highlight modern manufacturing
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Manufacturers’ Association (IMA) and the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center (IMEC) today launched the fourth annual “Makers on the Move” statewide bus tour, which will visit manufacturing facilities, educational institutions and community centers across Illinois to highlight the diverse, rewarding careers in manufacturing and offer an up-close look at today’s high-tech modern manufacturing.
The “Makers on the Move” bus tour kicked off at The Will Group, located at 4647 W. Polk St. in Chicago on Friday, Oct. 3, which is recognized nationally as Manufacturing Day. Founded in 1986 by Stephen L. Davis, The Will Group is a minority-owned, family business that produces state-of-the-art infrastructure solutions including EV charging stations, smart LED lighting, capacitor banks, electrical distribution and more. The Will Group is dedicated to uplifting local community members, including creating and maintaining 200 jobs at its K-Town Business Center in North Lawndale, as well as supporting nonprofit organizations including Tuskegee NEXT.
After departing Chicago, the 56-foot bus will travel to communities across the state, making roughly 30 stops along the way. Industry advocates traveling on the bus will be accompanied by educators, economic development leaders, public officials and other dignitaries. More information about the tour is available at https://makersonthemove.org.
“We’re thrilled to bring the ‘Makers on the Move’ tour to communities across Illinois as we spotlight the wide array of career opportunities available in the manufacturing industry. From making life-saving medicines, producing nutritious food, or creating energy to power our homes and businesses, manufacturers are building a better, brighter future,” said Mark Denzler, President & CEO of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association. “It’s appropriate that we begin this year’s tour at The Will Group, which sets the standard for developing the next generation workforce while also investing in underserved areas. They truly lead by example, demonstrating the transformative impact of manufacturing throughout our lives and our neighborhoods.”
Manufacturing is the largest contributor of any industry to the state’s Gross Domestic Product, generating more than $580 billion for the state’s economy each year. The industry directly employs 662,298 workers and supports as many as 1,771,928 jobs – nearly a third of all jobs in Illinois. A new report recently released by the Midwest Manufacturing Association found that Illinois manufacturers exported nearly $69 billion in goods to countries around the globe last year, generating strong economic investment and creating jobs in communities throughout the state.
“The ‘Makers on the Move’ bus tour is a fantastic journey of discovery across Illinois, visiting manufacturers to see firsthand the incredible products they create every day,” said David Boulay, PhD, President of the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center. “Along the way, we’ll be championing manufacturing and the rewarding careers it offers, while celebrating the successes that are shaping a strong future for our state.”
Nationally, there are 437,000 open jobs in the manufacturing industry, including tens of thousands of available jobs in Illinois. The IMA and IMEC are dedicated to working with employers, educators, and lawmakers to enact policies that help attract and retain a skilled workforce. These efforts are vital to ensuring Illinois can continue to experience strong economic growth in the coming decade, as more baby boomers are expected to exit the job market and companies seek to fill the resulting experience gaps.
“We’re proud to welcome the ‘Makers on the Move’ tour as we celebrate the power and promise of manufacturing. At The Will Group, we are dedicated to delivering innovative solutions not just for our customers, but for our communities,” said Jessica Ashley Garmon, Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel of The Will Group. “By creating manufacturing jobs with good pay, good benefits, and good working conditions, we are building stronger communities and a stronger economy.”
“With millions of manufacturing jobs available over the next decade, we must think creatively about how to build a skilled workforce of the future. That includes fostering unique opportunities to introduce students to the rewarding careers available in manufacturing,” said Sarah Hartwick, Vice President of Education & Workforce Policy at the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association and Executive Director of the IMA Education Foundation. “Manufacturing is dynamic, innovative and sustainable, and we hope this tour inspires a new generation of manufacturing workers looking to make a difference.”
