<![CDATA[Technology & Manufacturing Association - TMA News]]>Tue, 11 Aug 2026 13:36:34 -0500EditMySite<![CDATA[TMA Delivers Bipartisan Victory to Save CTE Classes in High Schools]]>Mon, 10 Aug 2026 15:43:34 GMThttps://www.tmaillinois.org/tma-news/tma-delivers-bipartisan-victory-to-save-cte-classes-in-high-schoolsSB 3070, Signed by Governor Pritzker, Lets High Schoolers Continue to Choose Career Technical Education
SCHAUMBURG, IL – Governor JB Pritzker has signed Senate Bill 3070 into law, securing the future of Career Technical Education (CTE) classes in Illinois high schools. The bipartisan legislation, drafted by the Technology & Manufacturing Association and its small and midsize manufacturers, ensures that thousands of students will retain access to the hands-on training that launches needed careers in manufacturing.

https://tmanews.com/tma-delivers-bipartisan-victory-to-save-cte-classes-in-high-schools/]]><![CDATA[TMA Applauds Final Passage of Bill to Save CTE Classes in High Schools]]>Wed, 03 Jun 2026 16:08:13 GMThttps://www.tmaillinois.org/tma-news/tma-applauds-final-passage-of-bill-to-save-cte-classes-in-high-schoolsSmall and Midsize Manufacturers Urge Governor to Sign SB 3070 into Law

SCHAUMBURG, IL – Today, the Illinois House gave final passage to Senate Bill 3070, bipartisan legislation that would allow high school students to take Career Technical Education (CTE) classes as an alternative to the 2-year foreign language mandate starting in 2028.
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The bill, drafted by TMA and its small and midsize manufacturers in Illinois, passed the Senate on Thursday and now heads to the Governor’s desk to be signed into law.

More at https://tmanews.com/tma-applauds-final-passage-of-bill-to-save-cte-classes-in-high-schools-small-and-midsize-manufacturers/​ 

]]><![CDATA[Former TMA Chairman opines on need for Career Training in Illinois High Schools]]>Mon, 27 Apr 2026 18:11:38 GMThttps://www.tmaillinois.org/tma-news/former-tma-chairman-opines-on-need-for-career-training-in-illinois-high-schoolsBy Ben Barnett, President of Principal Manufacturing –

Illinois manufacturers face a serious problem. We have modern, high-tech facilities running at full capacity, but we struggle to find the young talent needed to keep our shop floors moving in years to come. 
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At Principal Manufacturing here in Broadview, we experience the skills gap firsthand every single day. We need young people to fill the roles of their aging skilled counterparts as they near retirement. Yet, our state continues to push policies that make it harder for students to discover skills-based careers. 

More at https://tmanews.com/op-ed-senate-bill-3070-provides-sensible-solution-for-students-manufacturers/

]]><![CDATA[TMA Advocacy Alert: Call state lawmakers to oppose workplace temperature mandates]]>Thu, 16 Apr 2026 18:16:42 GMThttps://www.tmaillinois.org/tma-news/tma-advocacy-alert-call-state-lawmakers-to-oppose-workplace-temperature-mandates
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SCHAUMBURG – The Workplace Extreme Temperature Safety Act (HB 3762) will be voted on this week (April 13-April 17) in the Springfield Capitol.  The Technology & Manufacturing Association members urgently need to call their lawmakers and ask them to vote “NO” on HB 3762.
For more information, go to https://tmanews.com/opposition-to-hb-3762-workplace-temperature-mandates/ 
]]><![CDATA[TMA Hosts Initial Task Force Meeting with Small and Midsize Manufacturers]]>Fri, 19 Sep 2025 17:11:11 GMThttps://www.tmaillinois.org/tma-news/tma-hosts-initial-task-force-meeting-with-small-and-midsize-manufacturersNine TMA Members Will Help Shape Policy Suggestions for Illinois Lawmakers
SCHAUMBURG, IL – The Technology & Manufacturing Association (TMA) hosted the first meeting of the Senate-approved Manufacturing Task Force designed to develop a comprehensive set of recommendations for the Illinois legislature to improve and expand small and midsize manufacturing in our state.

More at TMANews.com - 

]]><![CDATA[Welding Policy and Progress: Laystrom Sparks a Conversation with Senator Aquino]]>Wed, 17 Sep 2025 05:00:00 GMThttps://www.tmaillinois.org/tma-news/welding-policy-and-progress-laystrom-sparks-a-conversation-with-senator-aquinoCHICAGO – Laystrom Manufacturing opened its doors last Friday to a visit with Illinois State Senator Omar Aquino (D-Chicago).  Jeff Dec, the company’s soon-retiring president, discussed with Senator Aquino Laystrom’s role in developing equipment for the agriculture industry and the supply chain during the tour of Laystrom’s Chicago facility. 

​More at TMANews.com
]]><![CDATA[Grinding Gears & Building Bonds: TMA’s Isaac Flex at FABTECH]]>Mon, 15 Sep 2025 05:00:00 GMThttps://www.tmaillinois.org/tma-news/grinding-gears-building-bonds-tmas-isaac-flex-at-fabtechCHICAGO – FABTECH 2025 was more than a showcase of innovation—it was a celebration of community. TMA’s Director of Development, Isaac Flex, hit the show floor with purpose, engaging with a remarkable group of treasured TMA members whose companies represent the backbone of American manufacturing.

​More at TMANews.com
]]><![CDATA[TMA Tees Off Summer 2025 with Sold-Out Golf Outing at Eagle Brook Country Club]]>Wed, 02 Jul 2025 19:26:51 GMThttps://www.tmaillinois.org/tma-news/tma-tees-off-summer-2025-with-sold-out-golf-outing-at-eagle-brook-country-clubJune 30, 2025 | Geneva, IL-The TMA community took a swing at summer and hit it out of the park—or rather, onto the fairway—at the stunning Eagle Brook Country Club. With perfect weather and a sold-out crowd, this first golf outing of the season set the tone for a summer of connection, celebration, and championing manufacturing.
Participants from across the TMA network arrived ready to make meaningful connections and enjoy friendly competition. Whether tackling the course’s signature marshmallow drive or exchanging tips at the tee box, the day delivered on both fun and fellowship.
This outing wasn’t just about birdies and bogeys—it was about giving back. Every swing supported the TMA Education Foundation, helping fund critical programs that invest in the next generation of manufacturers.

For more information, go to TMANews.com - https://tmanews.com/tma-tees-off-summer-with-sold-out-golf-outing-at-eagle-brook-country-club/

]]><![CDATA[Working Families, Small and Midsize Manufacturers Will Bear the Brunt of Funding Illinois’ FY 2026 Budget]]>Sat, 31 May 2025 05:00:00 GMThttps://www.tmaillinois.org/tma-news/working-families-small-and-midsize-manufacturers-will-bear-the-brunt-of-funding-illinois-fy-2026-budgetStatement on Illinois General Assembly FY 2026 Budget Passage:
SCHAUMBURG, IL – Technology & Manufacturing Association (TMA) Executive Vice President Dennis LaComb issued the following statement regarding the unaffordable budget lawmakers passed in Springfield tonight:
“In typical Springfield fashion, lawmakers and Illinoisans only had hours to review details of the $55 billion budget that continues to spend recklessly with working families footing the bill. That wouldn’t fly in the real world. What’s worse is the budget that was just passed is something our state can’t afford. Illinois doesn’t just have billions sitting in the bank, and our state revenue won’t fully fund the budget.
More at https://tmanews.com/working-families-small-and-midsize-manufacturers-will-bear-the-brunt-of-funding-illinois-fy-2026-states-budget/ 
​]]><![CDATA[Illinois Lawmakers Could Learn Financial Discipline from Small and Midsize Manufacturers]]>Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:28:19 GMThttps://www.tmaillinois.org/tma-news/illinois-lawmakers-could-learn-financial-discipline-from-small-and-midsize-manufacturersSCHAUMBURG, IL – The Technology & Manufacturing Association (TMA) responded today to Governor JB Pritzker’s 2025 budget address, expressing concerns that small and midsize businesses will again bear the brunt of funding the state’s budget deficit:“Governor Pritzker may be touting a balanced budget after a miraculous finding of $1.5 billion in state revenue 24 hours ahead of the budget address, but a closer examination reveals we’re still in a budget deficit and our small and midsize manufacturers can’t afford to bear the burden.

TMA's 2025 Budget Address response HERE: tmanews.com/illinois-lawmakers-could-learn-financial-discipline-from-small-and-midsize-manufacturers/]]>