Illinois Congressman Sorensen Supports Manufacturing Jobs in Northwestern Illinois
Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) secured the inclusion of $12.5 million in the FY2024 House Defense Appropriations Bill to support manufacturing jobs and develop new technologies in the Quad Cities area.
“Service members and civilian workers in Northwestern Illinois continue to be a source of pride for our region, supporting our nation’s national defense and leading in science and innovation,” said Sorensen. “This funding is critical to sustaining good-paying manufacturing jobs in the Quad Cities area and I urge Congress to swiftly pass this bill.”
Eric Sorensen
“Thanks to Congressman Sorensen, this funding will advance the important work the Quad Cities Manufacturing Lab (QCML) is doing in the field of advanced materials and manufacturing processes. The sophistication of the technological advances generated by the QCML have a direct and immediate impact on reducing lead time and costs in the development of critical armor technologies,”
said Quad City Manufacturing Laboratory President Jeff Nelson.
The $5 million secured by Sorensen will help the Quad City Manufacturing Laboratory, headquartered on the Rock Island Arsenal, conduct research and develop new ballistic protection technologies to better protect service members.
Sorensen also secured the inclusion of $7.5 million to help the Rock Island Arsenal’s Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence develop next generation combat vehicles for the United States Army, supporting the nation’s national defense and sustaining jobs in Northwestern Illinois.
The bill now goes to the full Appropriations Committee for approval, then to the House floor for a vote.
