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Illinois trade group is looking for The Coolest Thing Made in Illinois

Image of a milling machine
Michael Schwarzenberger: blickpixel via Pixabay
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Pixabay | https://bityl.co/B9i2
Illinois is home to nearly 4,000 manufacturers providing jobs for over 500,000 workers.

Through the 20th of this month, the Illinois Manufacturers' Association is accepting nominations for the third annual Makers Madness bracket-style contest. The public can vote on the product to earn the title of The Coolest Thing Made in Illinois. 

Association President Mark Denzler says he hopes this year's competition will highlight the diversity of Illinois' factories.

"They're partners in sustainability efforts, making ground-breaking progress in the production of electric vehicles. Allowing us to explore not only our world, but the universe. Illinois products today are in the Mars Rover, and the international space station."
Mark Denzler

Denzler adds Illinois companies producing COVID-19 vaccines have helped in the fight against the pandemic. To nominate an Illinois-made product, browse to: https://makersmadnessil.com/

Born in Newport, Rhode Island to a military family, Kevin Boucher traveled the country and the world at a young age before his family settled in Murphysboro, Illinois in 1976. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Radio-Television at Southern Illinois University (SIU) in Carbondale and worked in commercial radio before becoming the Traffic Manager at WSIU Public Television. Boucher has since earned a Master's degree in Professional Media & Media Management Studies from SIU's College of Mass Communication & Media Arts. He is an outdoor enthusiast who enjoys gardening and exploring the flora and fauna of the Shawnee National Forest and other beautiful natural areas across southern Illinois. Kevin is embarking on a new path with WSIU as the Community Engagement Producer for WSIU Radio. Look for Kevin's work on air and on line.
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