State Rep. Ryan Spain (R-Peoria) received the highest rating from the Technology and Manufacturing Association (TMA) for his legislative voting record.
The recognition is based on Spain’s voting record in support of manufacturing jobs across the state, a release posted on Spain's website said.
“I am proud to support manufacturing in Illinois and the jobs this industry brings to our residents,” Spain said in the release. “In a time when so many jobs are leaving Illinois to our surrounding states, I think it’s important that legislators not just talk the talk, but walk the walk when it comes to keeping manufacturing jobs right here in Illinois.”
Spain scored a perfect 100 as graded by TMA, with the association's grading based on a system of taxation policy, regulation policy, and education and career readiness issues, the release said.
Overall, the association said support for manufacturing interests in the Illinois General Assembly has dramatically waned over the past two years, the release said.
As recently as 2015, 42 percent of Illinois state representatives had a cumulative score of 75 or better, compared to this year when the number of lawmakers considered pro-manufacturing by the association had dwindled all the way down to just 23 percent, the release said.
The release said suspect state policies go hand-and-hand with the state’s unprecedented population loss as more residents move out of state to find employment in more jobs friendly climates.
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