Mayoral Forum: A New Industrial Vision for Chicago
Mayoral candidates in Chicago came together on February 8 for a forum on a new industrial vision for an inclusive and thriving industrial sector. A wide range of issues were addressed at the forum, including the need for job training, federal investment in the manufacturing sector, ownership succession, and the importance of building a green […]
Ministers for Manufacturing Leads Advocacy Day Trip to Springfield, IL on 11/16
Manufacturing Renaissance and the Ministers for Manufacturing committee co-chairs of the Chicagoland Manufacturing Renaissance Council (CMRC) will host a day trip in an executive coach bus to the Springfield Capitol on November 16, 2022. Our legislative host and guide when we arrive will be Rep. Kam Buckner and his staff. Rep. Buckner, a legislative leader and former chair […]
Spotlight on Economic Democracy as a Strategy for Inclusive Development
Since the early 1980s, Manufacturing Renaissance has been inspired by and a student of worker ownership models, recognizing their potential for expanding wealth creation opportunities for communities that have traditionally been excluded from business ownership and wealth creation, especially in the manufacturing sector. Over the years MR has provided leadership in efforts to raise awareness […]
Resolution Introduced in Chicago’s City Council to Endorse the Manufacturing Reinvestment Corporation Act
On March 23, 2022, Alderman Michael Rodriguez, Ward 22 representing Little Village, North Lawndale and surrounding communities, submitted a resolution to endorse the Manufacturing Corporation Reinvestment Act (HR5124). In short, this resolution acknowledges: The importance of the intersection between manufacturing and education and career and technical education in the City of Chicago towards building a […]
“Manufacturing Ecosystem” and a New Definition to Support Inclusive, Equitable Community Development
If you’re working in a space that is similar to the space Manufacturing Renaissance works in you’ve started to hear the words “manufacturing ecosystem” thrown around quite a bit. As a former ecologist, my interest was piqued at the notion. I quickly imagined the manufacturing ecosystem to mean the diverse mix of stakeholders, participants, practitioners, […]
Ministers for Manufacturing Quarterly Meeting Updates
The Chicagoland Manufacturing Renaissance Council‘s Ministers for Manufacturing (M4M) committee convenes quarterly to share the latest program and policy updates with faith leaders in our communities. This quarter’s meeting on February 18, 2022 featured Craig Freedman, CEO of Freedman Seating, Andrew Stettner and Michelle Burris of The Century Foundation, DeeDee Jones of Manufacturing Renaissance, and […]
Chicago Teachers Union Local 1 Endorses Manufacturing Reinvestment Bill
On February 2, 2022, the CTU House of Delegates voted to endorse HR 5124 by a vote of 600 to 1. The union recognized the importance of re-building our manufacturing sector in a way that’s profoundly inclusive. They’ve also committed to reaching out to the American Federation of Teachers, the Illinois Federation of Teachers, and […]
Supply Chain and Policy: Past, Present and Future
Panelists in the event, clockwise from bottom right: Dan Swinney, Founder of Manufacturing Renaissance; Harry Haney, a supply chain and operations expert; Haven Allen, CEO and Co-Founder, mHUB, an independent hard tech and manufacturing innovation center; David Boulay, President of IMEC (the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center). Top right, moderator, Jeff Korzenik, Chief Investment Strategist, Fifth […]
New Bill Proposes Major Reinvestment in Manufacturing Communities
WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), a Senior Chief Deputy Whip and Chair of the Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, introduced the Manufacturing Reinvestment Corporation Act. The legislation will ensure that a revitalized manufacturing sector can create the products, processes, and transition opportunities that are necessary to […]
Rep. Schakowsky Shares Progress on Introduction of Key Legislation to Grow Manufacturing Sector This Summer
A growing movement for a stronger and more equitable manufacturing sector in this country is gaining momentum. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) has indicated she will introduce legislation in the coming weeks that will lay out plans and funding to support innovation, sustainability, supply chain resiliency, and equal opportunities and inclusion in the manufacturing sector. “We […]