Governor Rauner to speak at manufacturing expo

Governor Bruce Rauner will speak to local manufacturers exhibiting at the 2017 Made in Elk Grove Manufacturing & Technology Expo on Tuesday, Oct. 17, at the Jack A. Claes Pavilion.

He will also tour the Made in Elk Grove Manufacturing & Technology Expo floor to speak with local business owners. The pavilion is located at 1000 Wellington Ave.

The Made in Elk Grove Expo is an unconventional trade show hosted annually by the village to demonstrate their commitment to keeping and attracting manufacturing firms to their community. Elk Grove Village is home to the largest consolidated industrial park in the U.S.

More than 1,000 members of the regional manufacturing sector are expected to attend. The expo will showcase nearly 100 manufacturing firms located in Elk Grove.

The manufacturing sector is a vital part of the regional and state economy, organizers said.

Governor Rauner, who will address manufacturers at the Exhibitor Luncheon at 11:30 a.m.

Elk Grove Mayor Craig Johnson will speak about how manufacturing is critical to the future of the state of Illinois, creating well-paying jobs and driving innovation.

Governor Rauner and Johnson will present four Business Excellence Awards to local manufactures excelling in community support, sustainability, innovation and industrial development.

Regional education efforts to meet the need for skilled workforce training. Representatives from Harper College, College of DuPage, ABC of Illinois and Symbol Training Institute will be on-site to share details about their manufacturing training programs.