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Newsletter: Made in IL-10 Manufacturing Tour

April 10, 2018
Brad's Newsletter

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Dear Friend,

As part of my ongoing "Brad at You Business" program, last week I visited 12 local companies manufacturing products here in the USA and shipping them around the world. This Made In IL-10 Manufacturing Tour was a great opportunity for me to hear from job creators and employees about the challenges and opportunities they face. It was an enlightening tour and I share below some of my key takeaways from these visits.

This coming Saturday, April 14, I invite you join me at the Chicago Botanic Garden for our E3 Summit, a series of forward looking conversations on the the economy, environment, and education in our district. Learn more about the E3 Summit below and register today to attend!

MADE IN IL-10 MANUFACTURING TOUR

The manufacturing sector forms an important foundation for our economy, and we need to support the industry to ensure it continues to grow in the 21st Century. Manufacturing is complex, and when manufacturers create products, they draw on other sectors of the economy – from the raw inputs to energy to services like accounting and logistics. For this reason, manufacturing has the highest "multiplier effect" of any other industry, generating an additional $1.33 in economic activity from each $1 of manufacturing GDP. This means by supporting manufacturing, we're growing other parts of our economy and accelerating employment across the board.

My three key takeaways from my visits are that (1) innovation is alive and well in IL-10 manufacturers; (2) when the global market is a fair and level playing field, American companies not only compete, but we win business and prosper; and (3) we need more teachers, parents and especially young, smart, talented people to recognize that working in manufacturing can be a wonderfully stimulating and rewarding career.

A major challenge I heard over and over again for our local manufacturers is finding skilled workers for open positions. In many cases, these businesses would be hiring for even more good-paying positions if they could find qualified individuals to fill them. We need to address how our education system is preparing young people for the jobs of the 21st Century. With a greater emphasis on STEM and more post-secondary opportunities for technical skills, we can close this gap and continue to grow.

As well, threats of a trade war were a major concern for almost all the companies I visited. There's no question China is guilty of bad behaviors that need to be punished and stopped– from currency manipulation and dumping, to disregard for environmental and labor standards. And there's no question that when Americans workers and American companies compete on a fair, level playing field, we are able to win business and prosper.

But rather than addressing trade concerns in a strategic, comprehensive way, President Trump's shoot-from-the-hip actions risk sparking a destructive cycle of retaliatory tariffs that will hurt the very American businesses he says he wants to help. Just one example is the business owner who shared that his company received notice of immediate price increases for both imported and domestic metals the day after the President's initial tariff announcement. We need to work to create international trade rules that bring other countries up to American standards and help American companies, not engage in a race to the bottom.

Overall, I was extremely encouraged by the ingenuity and drive of our local manufacturers. With smart investments in our education, infrastructure, and trade policy, I am confident we will continue to grow this crucial sector at home and across the country.

Check out additional photos of the #MadeinIL10 tour on our Facebook or Instagram.

JOIN ME AT E3 SUMMIT - Saturday, April 14

On Saturday, April 14, I am excited to host a symposium on three topics I'm passionate about for the future of our economy, environment and education. We're bringing together thought leaders and local experts from across Illinois's 10th Congressional District for a series of conversations on challenges and possible solutions to issues facing our communities.

 

10:00 am – 11:00 am

Economy: Preparing Our Youth For 21st Century Jobs

Panelists from: Lake County High Schools Technology Campus, Chicago Botanic Garden's Windy City Harvest, Schultes Precision Manufacturing, GF Machining Solutions, and Hydraforce

RSVP

 

11:45 am – 12:45 pm

Environment: Protecting & Preserving the Great Lakes

Panelists from: GEI Consultants, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Sierra Club, and Alliance for the Great Lakes

RSVP

 

1:30 pm – 2:30 pm

Education: Expanding Access to Pre-K

Panelists from: United Way of Lake County, Round Lake Area B.E.S.T. Coalition and Steans Family Foundation

RSVP

This event at the Chicago Botanic Garden is free and open to the public. You may register for a single discussion or all three. Free parking will be available to all summit attendees. RSVP to attend today.


LAST CALL: CONGRESSIONAL ART COMPETITION ENTRIES DUE FRIDAY

Entries into the annual Congressional Art Competition are due this Friday, April 13, 2018. Please drop-off all submissions at our office at 111 Barclay Blvd, Suite 200, Lincolnshire, IL (Monday-Friday, 9:00am-5:00pm).

More important information about the competition on our website.

 

NEIGHBORHOOD OFFICE HOURS

Our office hosts frequent Neighborhood Office Hours for constituents to more easily meet with caseworkers and staff to discuss any federal issues that they may have and learn more about services our office can provide. We're here to help if you have issues with Medicare, Social Security, the Veterans Administration, immigration and more.

This week, we'll be in Des Plaines, Waukegan, Grayslake, and Zion. Check out the full scheduleon our website and come meet with us when we're in your community!

 

WEEKLY WRAP-UP


On Wednesday, we hosted students and parents from across the Tenth District to learn about the application and nomination process for the five US Military Service Academies. We were also honored to be joined by special guest Sgt. Allen Lynch, who earned the Medal of Honor for his actions in Vietnam and has continued to serve his country and advocate for Veterans. Thank you to all who joined. Learn more on our website.

I spoke about working to reduce gun violence at a forum with students at Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire.


We had a great turnout and good conversation at Saturday's Congress on Your Corner in Libertyville - our 21st of this term. Thanks to everyone who came out and joined the conversation!

 

I was glad to join YWCA Lake County for Saturday's economic empowerment event.

I had a good time sitting down to talk with Bill Cameron on WLS-AM 890. Our interview aired Sunday, and you can check it out here.

Please continue to stay in touch and share your thoughts, either by calling our DC office at (202) 225-4835 or emailing via our website.

Thanks for reading!


Sincerely,

Bradley S. Schneider
Member of Congress