(The Center Square) – The search is on for the coolest product made in Illinois. The Illinois Manufacturers' Association has launched the second annual “Makers Madness” contest. Voters across the state will decide which.
Makers Madness Contest For The Coolest Thing Made In Illinois
The Illinois Manufacturers’ Association launched the second annual Makers Madness contest to crown the coolest thing made in Illinois.
Now through February 14 Illinoisans can nominate products as “The Coolest Thing Made in Illinois”.
The Illinois Manufacturers’ Association President and CEO Mark Denzler says anything made in Illinois can be nominated.
“You just submit the name of the product, a picture of the product, we ask for the nominators name, email and phone number in the event we have questions, once all the nominations come through we vet them, verify just to make sure they’re made in Illinois, because in some cases you might have a headquarters here but the product is made elsewhere.”
(2020 photo) Photo: Saga Communications
From Bunn coffeemakers to Beer Nuts to a 23-foot-tall Caterpillar mining truck, Illinois makes some pretty cool things.
Mark Denzler of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association – saying “cool is in the eye of the beholder” – is kicking off the second annual Makers Madness competition. It’s styled after the NCAA basketball bracket and is meant to be a celebration of Illinois-made products and the people and companies who make them.
Saying it’s the manufacturers who are putting out the coronavirus vaccines, Denzler made sure to point out Illinois companies are making it work not because of state government, but in spite of it. He cited a lack of liability support in the development of critical products, attempts to raise taxes, and a minimum wage increase.