Illinois Manufacturers Association

The legislative agenda of the Illinois Manufacturers Association (IMA), headquartered in Springfield, IL, is focused on improving the business environment for its 4,300 corporate members. The IMA's membership includes both large manufacturing concerns and small businesses. In 2003 the IMA accepted Bank One Corporation now part of JP Morgan Chase as a member after Bank One left the Illinois Bankers Association. Among the issues on IMA's legislative agenda are the reduction of unemployment insurance taxes on employers, reduced governmental regulation of leave, health care, and other benefits, limits on jury verdicts in personal injury lawsuits, reductions in the state gasoline tax, telecom deregulation, and energy deregulation. In 2001, the IMA fought successfully for the Boeing Tax Incentive and the adoption of the telecom deregulation package. It successfully opposed bills to increase the minimum wage. The IMA is headed by Greg Baise, once an aide to former Gov. Jim Thompson and also the Republican nominee for Treasurer in 1990.

The Illinois Manufacturers Association is a career patron of Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka (R), House Republican Leader Tom Cross (R), Senate Republican Leader Frank Watson, and former gubernatorial candidate Patrick O'Malley (R).

From January 1, 1993 through June 30, 2006, the Illinois Manufacturers Association gave $3.871 million to candidates for Illinois statewide constitutional and legislative office, 90% of which was contributed to Republicans.

Last revised September 2006.