Manufacturing Layoffs Drive Illinois Job Cuts in February Employers reported 4,153 mass layoffs in Illinois last month, but the actual number will likely be closer to 2,300. The largest permanent job losses were in manufacturing, at 1,264. More than 1,000 of those were announced by global automotive parts supplier First Brands, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in September 2025. More HERE. |
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Population Loss, Aging Workforce Threaten Illinois Economy Moody’s Analytics’ “State of Illinois Economic Forecast” outlines some of the state’s major challenges. But Illinois also has many strengths, such as its central location, a large pool of skilled workers, strong tourism and world-class universities, upon which is can build a stronger economy. Reforming policies that undercut these advantages will help the state economy grow. More HERE. |
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Joliet’s Failed Lion Electric, Empty Caterpillar Plant Gaining 2,500 New Jobs As part of an incentive package, including taxpayer-funded EDGE credits, Hyundai Translead has committed to investing $452.5M to create at least 2,475 new full-time jobs. In addition to state incentives, the company is also working with Will County taxing bodies to secure local taxpayer-funded incentives. More HERE. |
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Small Business Optimism Sees Slight Decline in February February’s Small Business Economic Trends report saw a decline in small business optimism and uncertainty. NFIB’s new Employment Index increased nearly a point to 103.5, well above the historical average of 100. This increase indicates tightness in the small business labor market. More HERE. |
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Companies Could Be On The Hook for Work-Related Activities Before, After Shifts Illinois law does not specifically shield companies from having to pay employees for time spent completing required pre- and post-work activities, the state Supreme Court unanimously ruled. Although federal regulations exclude that requirement, the court found Illinois’ wage law does not include any similar provisions. More HERE. |
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Amazon’s Jeff Bezos Plans $100B AI Fund to Revamp Manufacturing Bezos is in discussions to raise $100B for a fund focused on acquiring manufacturing companies and accelerating automation with AI. The fund would target industries such as chipmaking, defense and aerospace, and use AI to enhance efficiency. Bezos has been meeting with asset managers and sovereign wealth funds in the Middle East and Singapore. More HERE. |
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Mapped: The Income Needed to Be Middle Class in Each State The minimum income needed to be middle class ranges from $39.4K in Mississippi to $69.9K in Massachusetts. Find out where your state is HERE. |
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TMA Receives Recognition & Approval From IBHE The Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) – the state government agency that oversees higher education in Illinois, including public universities, private colleges, and vocational schools – has recognized and approved the following TMA training and education programs: Tool & Die Apprenticeship Program; Mold Maker Apprenticeship Program; CNC Apprenticeship Program; and the Manufacturing Leadership Program. |
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New IRS Migration Numbers: Illinois Taxpayers Continue to Flee With Their Income The IRS released its annual numbers on taxpayer interstate migration for 2022 to 2023. Illinois lost 54,000 people each with an average annual income of $104,000. From 2000 to 2023, Illinois lost 780,000 taxpayers equalling $94 billion of Adjusted Gross Income per year. More HERE. |
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TMA Shares Key Priorities with Legislators, Other Business groups in Springfield TMA and several key business organizations hosted a breakfast reception in Springfield recently to welcome 20 new state legislators and discuss key business issues with them. TMA lobbyist David Curtin briefed attendees on SB 3070, TMA’s bill to allow Career Technical Education to qualify under the state’s pending 2-year foreign language mandate for high school graduation. Co-hosting organizations, including TMA, NFIB, ABC-IL, CALA-IL, and the state Black and Hispanic chambers, have since formed a coalition to fight cooperatively for key pro-business legislation in Springfield. More HERE. |
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U.S. House Tanks Balanced Budget Amendment as National Debt Tops $39T The U.S. House tanked a balanced budget resolution to curb the federal government’s practice of racking up trillion-dollar deficits every year. More HERE. |
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TMA-Recommended Candidates Earn Their Party’s Nomination for Office Eight of the state and federal candidates who completed our TMA candidate questionnaire and were “TMA Recommended” were victorious in the March 17 primary election and will be their party’s nominee in the November general election. If you are represented by one of these recommended candidates, please reach out to them and thank them for their efforts on behalf of TMA and manufacturing: |
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Darren Bailey, GOP nominee for Governor | Don Tracy, GOP nominee for US Senate | Donna Miller, DEM nominee for US House (Dist. 2) | Niki Conforti, GOP nominee for US House (Dist 6) | John Elleson, GOP nominee for US House (Dist 9) | Jeff Walter, GOP nominee for US House (Dist 11) | James Marter, GOP nominee for US House (Dist 14) | Tony McCombie, GOP nominee for IL House (Dist 94) |
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WELCOME NEW TMA MEMBER: CLINKENBEAR Since 1966 Clinkenbeard has served industrial and aerospace OEM’s with rapid turnaround complex machined parts and assemblies. They’re a worldwide leader in the rapid prototyping and production of complex cast and machined parts and have the internal resources and the engineering horsepower to tackle large, complex problems with concurrent manufacturing engineering support. |
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|  | Christians in Manufacturing: Community Fellowship Gathering Time: 11:30am-1:30pm | Location: Rolling Meadows, IL | Info & Registration: HERE |
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| | Internships That Work: A Guide for Employers Time: 8:00am-10:0am | Location: TMA Schaumburg | Info & Registration: HERE |
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| | Rockford Roundtable: Leading Today, Legacy Tomorrow Time: 11:30am-1:30pm | Location: Rockford, IL | Info & Registration: HERE |
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| | Morning Mixer: Arlington Heights Time: 7:00am-8:30am | Location: Arlington Heights, IL | Info & Registration: HERE |
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| | Coffee & Tour: Flextronics International USA, Inc. Time: 9:00am-11:00am | Location: Buffalo Grove, IL | Info & Registration: HERE |
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| | Roundtable: Leveraging Digital Reputation Time: 8:30am-10:30am | Location: St. Charles, IL | Info & Registration: HERE |
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| | HR Roundtable: Handbooks Guide Time: 8:00am-10:00am | Location: TMA Schaumburg, IL | Info & Registration: HERE |
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| | Safety Roundtable: Loading Docks Time: 11:30am-1:30pm | Location: TMA Schaumburg, IL | Info & Registration: HERE |
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| | Related Theory Graduation 2026 Time: 5:00pm-8:00pm | Location: Elk Grove Village, IL | Info & Registration: HERE |
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| | Happy Hour: Don’t Spill Your Trade Secrets Time: 4:30pm-6:30pm | Location: TMA Schaumburg | Info & Registration: HERE |
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| | TMA 2026 Economic Breakfast Time: 7:30am-9:00am | Location: Harwood Heights, IL | Info & Registration: HERE |
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| | TMA Supplier Network Community Bi-Monthly Meeting Time: 8:30am-9:30am | Location: TMA Schaumburg, IL | Info & Registration: HERE |
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| | Finance Roundtable: Cash, Control, & Cyber Fraud Time: 8:00am-10:00am | Location: Arlington Heights, IL | Info & Registration: HERE |
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HEALTH INSURANCE TMA Health Solutions is the leading insurance partner for small and midsize manufacturers. We assess, advise, and offer innovative, high-quality, and cost-effective health benefit plans and services. We take time to understand and assist your business so you can recruit and retain the best employees. For more information, click HERE |
| | RISK MANAGEMENT The Daniel and Henry Co. is an insurance and risk management firm providing property and casualty insurance and consultation for small and midsize manufacturers. As TMA’s partner, D&H helps protect your business against the unexpected. If it makes an impact on your business, Daniel & Henry handles it. For more information, click HERE or HERE |
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SALES & MARKETING TMA helps members attract customers through marketing, logo development, website design, social media, etc. TMA sources suppliers to find the right fit for all size manufacturers. To complement this program, we can also provide prospects for members through Hoovers/Dunn & Bradstreet. For more information, click HERE |
| | BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT TMA provides members access to the global prospecting database – Hoovers/Dunn & Bradstreet. TMA staff engage with members to help determine targeted industries based on their capabilities. We then search the database and provide the member a usable spreadsheet report with prospective targets. For more information, click HERE |
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RETIREMENT | 401K TMA offers members a professional, world-class 401K program that reduces costs and shifts admin and liability to a TMA 401K Board of Directors that acts as a Fiduciary Advisor managing member plan documents, service providers, and legal costs while offering investment funds not available to smaller plans. For more information, click HERE |
| | HUMAN RESOURCES TMA provides members free HR counsel with unlimited phone and email consultation via the TMA HR Hotline. Members also have access to the review and analysis of their personnel policies, work rules, and employee handbook by HR attorneys at a TMA-discounted price, as well as regular updates on important HR issues. For more information, click HERE |
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TMA HR HOTLINETMA members have access to unlimited, professional HR counsel free of charge via our HR Hotline at 888-849-0451. Additional HR services provided at a TMA discounted rate. |
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