Manufacturing is vital to Illinois’ story and our nation, as demonstrated by the $580 billion in total economic impact, the largest single share of our state’s economy. In addition, there are 662,000 women and men directly employed in the industry. (Source: 2022 Economic Analysis, Illinois Manufacturers’ Association). Here we outline several associations in the Chicagoland area that support the thriving Illinois manufacturing sector.
- Illinois Manufacturers Association (IMA) – The IMA is a trade association for manufacturing companies with locations in Illinois. IMA is one of the oldest and largest statewide manufacturing trade associations in the country. The association lobbies on behalf of Illinois manufacturing interests and has its own political action committee and polling organization.
- Technology & Manufacturing Association (TMA) – TMA is an independent trade association exclusively focused on assisting and promoting small and midsize manufacturers. The association is based in the Chicagoland area with a majority of its members from the area. TMA originated as Die, Tool, Special Machinery, and Manufacturers Association in 1925 when eight small to midsize manufacturers came together to address the need for cooperation and to better themselves through association with each other. The association was later named the Tool & Die Institute, then the Tooling & Manufacturing Association, and now TMA.