Manufacturing Industry News

Nine 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 - 

CHICAGO – 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

June 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/

Statement 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/ 
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SCHAUMBURG, 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/

SCHAUMBURG - Several new laws related to Human Resource issues will go into effect January 1, 2025. Below is a listing from TMA’s HR Resource  AMUNDSEN DAVIS:  

tmanews.com/illinois-sets-into-motion-more-hr-related-laws-in-2025/

It usually begins this way: “Do you know someone at the Technology & Manufacturing Association (TMA) that does X or Y?”
The question most often comes from a TMA member via inperson conversation, an email, text, or phone call, and the search to assist that small or midsize manufacturer commences.
An array of recommendations may be made to the TMA team members, taking on the challenge of finding what the TMA member is looking for as a place to start. If that doesn’t produce results, somebody may distribute the query through the TMA-SIG.
However, sufficient answers are usually found among TMA’s Associate and Affiliate members, or TMA’s Supplier Network, thanks to TMA’s knowledgeable and experienced staff, recommendations from fellow members, and/or information found in TMA’s online member directory.
TMA Associate members are businesses that offer services, equipment, machinery, or materials unique to companies that qualify as manufacturer members that are not normally performed by manufacturer members.
Affiliate members consist of companies providing services to manufacturer members by neither manufacturer nor Affiliate members.
Together, the Associates and Affiliates create TMA’s robust Supplier Network.
And why do suppliers join TMA? To find businesses that benefit from or need the services they can provide.
Everyone wins.
 More at ​https://tmanews.com/tmas-supplier-network-transforming-needs-and-ideas-into-solutions-and-actions/ 

​TMA’s Legislative Scorecard Shows 32 Lawmakers in the Illinois House and Senate Had Perfect Scores Voting for Legislation that Impacts Manufacturing
TMA Encouraged to See More Perfect Scores This Legislative Year Compared to Last
SCHAUMBURG, IL – In their  newly released 2023 Legislative Scorecard, the Technology & Manufacturing Association (TMA) reports 32 lawmakers in the Illinois House and Senate voted 100% in line with small and midsize manufacturers on 7 key pieces of legislation that impacts manufacturing.
In order to score perfectly, the lawmakers’ voting records showed they agreed with TMA’s positions on behalf of small and midsize manufacturers on key legislation 100% of the time during the 2023 Illinois legislative session. 

First-in-the-Midwest Submarine Manufacturing Program
Will Help Strengthen Our Country’s Submarine Industrial Base

SCHAUMBURG, IL – Not since the Cold War has the United States Navy seen such a significant demand for building new submarines. Supporting the Navy’s efforts to maintain our country’s strategic undersea advantage in an increasingly complex international security environment, BlueForge Alliance has engaged the Technology & Manufacturing Association (TMA) to launch a new manufacturing training programs to ensure the country has the workforce it needs to build a new generation of submarines.

​More at https://tmanews.com/tma-partners-with-blueforge-alliance-to-boost-us-submarine-fleet/