Governor Blagojevich signs law to encourage state agencies to buy more products made in America

SPRINGFIELD - Acting on growing concern across the nation regarding the loss of revenue and domestic jobs due to outsourcing to foreign countries, Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today signed House Bill 6983, which encourages state purchasing agencies to buy products that are manufactured in the United States whenever possible while still ensuring the best value and quality for Illinois taxpayers. 

The law provides that state purchasing agencies that buy manufactured articles, materials, and supplies shall promote the purchase of, and give preference to, manufactured articles, materials and supplies that have been manufactured in America.

"This law takes an important step toward ensuring that America does not continue to lose valuable manufacturing revenue to other countries when the same products are available in the United States at a reasonable price.  Everybody takes pride and profits when buying American," said Governor Blagojevich. 

The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Karen May and Sen. Terry Link (D-Lake Bluff), defines manufactured in the United States , in the case of assembled articles, materials, or supplies, as when final assembly occurs in the United States.

Exemptions to the provisions of HB 6983 are the following:
· Items manufactured in the U.S. do not exist in reasonably available quantities.
· The price of the items manufactured in the U.S. exceeds by an unreasonable amount  the price of available and similar items manufactured outside the U.S.
· The quality of the items manufactured in the U.S. is substantially less than the  quality of non-U.S. manufactured items that are similar, available, and comparably  priced.
· The purchase of U.S. manufactured items is not in the public interest.
· Items procured in conjunction with contracts for telecommunications services or  Internet or information services.
·    The purchase of pharmaceuticals, vaccines, certain medical devices, and similar   specified items.

"It makes sense that we should encourage Illinois businesses to buy goods made in the USA," said Sen. Link. "By promoting American products we're sending a message that we support the American workforce."

HB 6983 takes effect on January 1, 2005.