ALSIP IL—Meetings via Zoom and hearing from newsmakers via YouTube, cable news, or radio spots are all informative, but few things are more effective than visiting with them in person—especially with a person who makes laws that affect your business.
This week, Betts Precision’s VP of Sales, Joey Bettinardi (center right in photo), and his father, Joe Bettinardi (left in photo), welcomed their state Senator, Bill Cunningham (center left), into the Alsip IL facility.
Cunningham, President Pro Tempore of the Illinois Senate, interacted with team members during a walk through the shop floor and heard about Betts Precision’s various projects, from surgical instruments to aerospace parts.
The tour followed a 30-minute discussion between Sen. Cunningham and the Bettinardis on topics such as Illinois’ $200B pension debt, property tax hikes, and workforce development challenges.
Senator Cunningham was key in pushing forward legislation that would dilute the severe ramifications of particularly harmful portions of the Biometric Information Protection Act. Without his interest, the bill would likely have failed to make it through both Illinois chambers. The “BIPA” bill now awaits Governor Pritzker’s signature.
Discussing issues in person is priceless
TMA’s Advocacy Team has been working with TMA members for the past two years to host their state and local policymakers in their facilities. Politicians are best able to represent district businesses where they’ve visited and met with owners and team members.
Illinois state Representative Toni McCombie emphasized the value of those visits during a recent online TMA Legislative Briefing.
“Get your legislator in your building. You let them tour. You let them see the faces of the people that are working. You talk to them about tax policy,” House Minority Leader McCombie encouraged TMA members.
She went on to explain why:
“We have a lot of folks [in the Illinois General Assembly] that have not worked in a manufacturing setting, don’t understand a manufacturing setting, don’t understand the high cost of workers comp, property taxes, and have never been in a small business.”
She went on:
“So if you want to educate us in the House and the Senate, get them in your doors and explain what’s going on. Let them see the faces of the people that may not have a job because of policy we pass.”
That’s true, says TMA State Capitol Lobbyist David Curtin (far right in photo). Visiting small and mid-sized manufacturers is eye-opening and inspiring for lawmakers and association representatives like himself.
“It’s great to be able to visualize the shop floors where proposed state policy will be making a difference,“ Curtin said. “It’s an honor to represent TMA members at the Capitol.”
TMA Advocacy encourages members to welcome lawmakers
The Advocacy Team says TMA’s Legislator Connect program “cultivates relationships, influences public policy, and advocates for TMA businesses.”
TMA has also offered monthly Legislative Briefings via YouTube, allowing members to hear firsthand from lawmakers and policymakers working at the Capitol—one in which Sen. Cunningham participated in May.
“TMA makes it easy. We will work directly with you or your staff to determine which legislators or candidates you would like to host. We’ll handle the invitations and be onsite (if you wish) to assist you with introductions, conversations, and logistics.”
Simply write info@tmaillinois.orgto get the process started.
