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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
RECOGNITION OF OCTOBER 2025 AS MANUFACTURING APPRECIATION
MONTH IN COOK COUNTY ILLINOIS
WHEREAS, Cook County utilizes a sector driven economic development strategy and prioritizes and invests in sectors like manufacturing that offer relatively low barriers to entry and good jobs with strong career pathways; and
WHEREAS, Cook County proudly recognizes that Chicagoland has the second largest manufacturing sector in the nation and has been recognized for its strength in metals fabrication, machinery and equipment manufacturing, casting and forging along with food processing, plastics and chemicals manufacturing; and
WHEREAS, In 2022, the Department of Defense recognized northeastern Illinois as the nation's leader in the production of forged and stamped parts with the greatest business density and largest forging and stamping workforce of any US metro area in the nation; and
WHEREAS, Cook County participates in The Illinois Defense Manufacturing Consortium (ILDMC) which brings together stakeholders from industry, community, government, and academia to strengthen the casting and forging sectors in northeastern Illinois; and
WHEREAS, Cook County has prioritized promoting and supporting the manufacturing sector, working to expand the support, resources, and benefits these businesses receive from the county through M3 Chicago, which advances equitable and sustainable development by helping manufacturers expand, collaborate, network, innovate and hire; and
WHEREAS, Cook County recognizes that manufacturing provides quality jobs and positive economic impact and has committed nearly $7 million in ARPA funding to help manufacturers thrive, expand, innovate as well as access and develop needed talent; and
WHEREAS, some of Cook County's manufacturing programs include Manufacturing Reinvented that reimbursed manufacturers countywide up to $25,000 in eligible expenses toward the implementation of projects designed to improve pro...
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